Wishmaster

Wishmaster

Year: 1997

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: English

HorrorFantasyHorror the undead and monster classicsGory gruesome and slasher horrorTerrifying haunted and supernatural horror

After a centuries‑old Djinn is unwittingly freed from his tomb, he obsessively pursues the woman who released him, intent on harvesting her soul. By doing so he hopes to open a portal that will unleash his fellow Djinn, allowing them to conquer the world.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Wishmaster yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Wishmaster (1997)

Trace every key event in Wishmaster (1997) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

The Djinn's ancient trap

In 1127, the Persian emperor seeks wonders, but the Djinn tortures palace inhabitants in response. The emperor is horrified by the carnage. Zoroaster explains that the third wish would unleash doom, and a fire opal is revealed to trap the Djinn forever.

1127 Persian Empire - royal palace
2

A mishap at the docks

In present-day America, a crane operator drops a box containing the Ahura Mazda statue and a fire opal onto a ship. The statue is destroyed and the opal is stolen by a dockworker. The opal begins its dark journey toward power.

Present day Shipyard / Dock
3

The opal reaches Regal Auctioneers

The gem arrives at Regal Auctioneers and Nick Merritt has Alexandra 'Alex' Amberson examine it. The examination wakes the Djinn inside the jewel, breaking its seal. Alex senses something dark stirring within the gem.

Present day Regal Auctioneers
4

The lab explosion and the Djinn's release

Alex leaves the gem with Josh Aickman to analyze it further, but the lab explodes, destroying the facility. The Djinn is released and, after Josh pleads for relief from pain, grants his wish by killing him.

Present day Laboratory
5

Search for the gem's history begins

Lieutenant Nathanson informs Alex of Josh's death and traces the gem back to the statue, which points to Beaumont. Beaumont sends Alex to Wendy Derleth, a folklore professor, to learn the gem's history and the Djinn's nature.

Present day Beaumont's circle / Wendy Derleth's location
6

Wendy Derleth explains the Djinn's fault and power

Wendy outlines the Djinn's nature: the creature grants wishes in exchange for souls, and its curses delight the demon at the expense of others. She explains that power flows from the gem and that three wishes must be granted before a gateway for more djinn can open.

Present day Wendy Derleth's home
7

The Djinn assumes Demerest’s form

The Djinn adopts the name Nathaniel Demerest and begins hunting for Alex. He kills a pharmacist and grants Ariella's wish for eternal beauty by turning her into a mannequin, illustrating the cruel twists of his power.

Present day Various locations (pharmacy, boutique)
8

A dangerous visit to Nathanson

The Djinn seeks Nathanson for information; Nathanson refuses to help. In retaliation, the Djinn grants a criminal's wish to reveal guilt and incites a shooting spree inside the police precinct, locating Alex's home address and letting the Djinn close in.

Present day Nathanson's office / Police precinct
9

Nick Merritt's deal and the price of power

Nick agrees to help the Djinn for a million dollars, funded by a life insurance payout when his mother dies in a plane explosion. The Djinn uses Nick's deal to fuel the plot and escalate the danger to Alex.

Present day Nick Merritt's world
10

Alex discovers the Djinn's deception

Alex experiences troubling visions each time a wish is granted and soon realizes the person she has been consulting is the Djinn in Derleth's form. The Djinn has been manipulating her from within.

Present day Alex's apartment / Derleth's home
11

The Djinn offers three wishes

The Djinn offers Alex three wishes and a test 'free' wish to see the consequences. Her test lead shows the danger, as the Djinn survives a gunshot and cannot be harmed. She then uses the first official wish to learn what he is, and is transported to his hellish world inside the gem before escaping back to her apartment.

Present day The gem's world / Alex's apartment
12

The party, a rescue, and the trap resets

The Djinn follows Alex to Beaumont's party, disguised as Nathaniel Demerest, and tries to coerce Shannon into a third wish by trapping her in a burning painting. Alex then uses a wish to undo the chaos by proving Mickey Torelli was not drunk two days earlier, which resets the timeline and traps the Djinn back in the fire opal. Josh is shown alive again as a result.

Present day Beaumont's party / dock area
13

The Djinn awaits release inside the jewel

The crate ends up in Beaumont's private collection with the Djinn imprisoned inside the jewel of the Ahura Mazda statue. The Djinn sits on a throne within the gem, waiting patiently for a future release.

Present day Beaumont's private collection

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 10:41

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Wishmaster

Don't stop at just watching — explore Wishmaster 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 Wishmaster is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Wishmaster Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Wishmaster, 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.

Wishmaster Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Wishmaster

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Wishmaster. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Wishmaster

Wishmaster Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Wishmaster that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Wishmaster Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Wishmaster

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Wishmaster: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Wishmaster

Similar Movies to Wishmaster

Discover movies like Wishmaster that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.