Twisted Nerve

Twisted Nerve

Year: 1968

Runtime: 112 mins

Language: English

Director: Roy Boulting

HorrorThrillerDramaIntense violence and sexual transgressionGory gruesome and slasher horror

Martin Durnley, raised by an infantilizing mother, a resentful stepfather and an institutionalized brother with Down’s syndrome, escapes his oppressive home by adopting an imaginary child persona, Georgie. After being caught stealing in a department store, he befriends a sympathetic customer, but the relationship turns into a disturbing obsession.

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Timeline & Setting – Twisted Nerve (1968)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Twisted Nerve (1968). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

London, England, countryside locations (country lake), Susan's mother's house

The story unfolds primarily in London and its outskirts. Key locations include a toy shop, a library, a country lake for a pivotal swim scene, and the various homes of the characters. The Durnley family home and Susan's family residence become focal points for confrontation and revelation as the plot moves toward its violent climax.

🏙️ London 🏞️ Countryside 🏠 Domestic settings

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:20

Main Characters – Twisted Nerve (1968)

Meet the key characters of Twisted Nerve (1968), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Martin Durnley (Georgie)

A seemingly mild boy who hides a dangerous core. He adopts the Georgie persona to charm those around him while his true self harbors obsession and a readiness to resort to violence when confronted.

🧠 Complex 🎭 Deceptive 🔪 Violent

Susan Harper

A library worker who becomes entangled with Martin and tries to uncover the truth behind his odd behavior. She demonstrates resilience and determination as she pieces together the clues of Martin's life and confronts the danger he poses.

🧭 Curious 🔎 Investigative 💔 Victimized

Henry Durnley

Martin's stepfather, a distant authority figure who pressures Martin to travel to Australia. His presence heightens the family tension that fuels Martin's volatility and he ultimately falls victim to Martin's actions.

🗡️ Violent 👨‍👦 Family conflict

Enid Durnley

Martin's mother, who has remarried to a wealthy banker. Her new life creates distance within the family, contributing to Martin's sense of abandonment and his later instability.

💔 Family Strain 🧠 Complex Relationship

Joan Harper

Susan's mother, who rents rooms to guests. She becomes a target as the plot unfolds and her fate underscores the dangers lurking in ordinary domestic life.

💔 Domestic 🕳️ Tragedy

Shashee Kadir

A hospital worker who befriends Susan and helps uncover Martin's true nature. He provides crucial insight as the truth about the split identity emerges and races to avert further harm.

🧭 Empathetic 🧪 Knowledgeable 🕊️ Ally

Gerry Henderson

One of the paying guests who becomes involved in the police investigation and helps connect the clues surrounding Martin's activities.

👥 Witness 🕵️‍♂️ Investigative

Pete Durnley

Martin's older brother, who has learning difficulties and is sent to a special boarding school. He contrasts with Martin and remains a distant family figure.

🧸 Family 🧠 Learning difficulties

Clarkie

Store Detective who questions the suspicious toy incident, representing the first external challenge to Martin's Georgie persona.

🕵️‍♀️ Authority 🧭 Observant

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:20

Major Themes – Twisted Nerve (1968)

Explore the central themes of Twisted Nerve (1968), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🌀 Dual Identity

Martin conceals his true self behind a calm, capable exterior, adopting the Georgie persona to manipulate others. The tension between his public mask and hidden impulses drives the narrative and fuels the sense of danger surrounding his actions.

🩸 Violence & Murder

The story escalates to brutal acts as Martin's hidden violence erupts, culminating in the murder of his stepfather and an attack on Susan's mother. These crimes stem from a fractured psyche and the peril of a carefully maintained facade.

🕯️ Psychological Thriller

The film probes manipulation, perception, and the fragility of identity. As Susan seeks the truth, the plot examines how secrecy and control can warp relationships and put innocent people at risk.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:20

Unlock the Full Story of Twisted Nerve

Don't stop at just watching — explore Twisted Nerve in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Twisted Nerve is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Twisted Nerve Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Twisted Nerve, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Twisted Nerve Summary

Twisted Nerve Timeline

Track the full timeline of Twisted Nerve with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Twisted Nerve Timeline

More About Twisted Nerve

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More About Twisted Nerve