Witchtrap

Witchtrap

Year: 1989

Runtime: 92 mins

Language: English

ThrillerHorrorActionHorror the undead and monster classicsGory gruesome and slasher horror

This Time, It’s Not a Game A group of parapsychologists, as well as a skeptical cop, are terrorized by a Satanic ghost in a bed-and-breakfast.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Witchtrap (1989)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Witchtrap (1989). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Solano County, California, Gothic Victorian home

The action centers on a gothic Victorian home located in Solano County, California. The house is presented as a place steeped in history, murder rumors, and occult activity. It becomes the focal point for the investigators and Avery's malevolent presence, shaping the eerie atmosphere. Its isolated setting amplifies the sense of danger and mystery surrounding the haunting.

🏚️ Haunted 🏰 Victorian 🌁 California

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:35

Main Characters – Witchtrap (1989)

Meet the key characters of Witchtrap (1989), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Whitney O'Shay (Kathleen Bailey)

A clairvoyant who is reluctant to embrace her gifts. She experiences visions of Avery and becomes a central figure in the attempt to uncover the truth behind the hauntings. Her psychic abilities both propel the investigation and expose her to Avery's influence, culminating in a revelation about her own connection to the spirit.

🧭 Clairvoyant 🔮 Visionary 🕯️ Occult-adjacent

Avery Lauter (J.P. Luebsen)

A famed illusionist, warlock, and suspected serial killer whose spirit lingers in the house. He seeks immortality through a ritual and possesses others to advance his plan. His malevolence drives the conflict, and his influence culminates in a battle for control of the living and the dead.

👁️‍🗨️ Antagonist 🔮 Occult 🪄 Illusionist

Agnes Goldberg (Judy Tatum)

A determined paranormal investigator aligned with Felix, driven by the pursuit of truth and a willingness to take ruthless measures. She believes cracking Avery's heart can halt the ritual, and she challenges skepticism within the group. Her resolve ultimately leads to a tragic confrontation.

🧭 Investigator 🧪 Skepticism 🗡️ Determined

Felix Goldberg (Rob Zapple)

A fellow investigator whose allegiance is tested by the haunting. He becomes possessed by Avery, illustrating how the supernatural threat can corrupt individuals. His arc emphasizes the peril of harnessing occult forces and the fragility of the investigators' grip on reality.

🔮 Possessed 🔪 Threat 🧩 Collaboration

Ginger Kowowski (Linnea Quigley)

A video technician who documents the investigation. Her death by impalement marks one of the film's early shocks and demonstrates the immediacy of Avery's danger. She serves as a catalyst that deepens the group’s fear and urgency.

🎥 Technician 🩸 Victim 🌀 Catalyst

Tony Vincente (James W. Quinn)

Skeptical of the supernatural explanations yet willing to engage with the team to protect Whitney. He uses an electromagnetic device to trap Avery's energy, a key move in the fight against the haunting. His actions push the narrative toward a climactic confrontation.

🧭 Skeptic 🧰 Tech-savvy 🛡️ Protector

Levi Jackson (Clyde Talley II)

A member of the group who plans to leave the property to notify authorities but becomes a casualty when Avery's influence turns the car against him. His fate underscores the pervasiveness of the haunting and the danger of attempting to escape the house.

🏃‍♂️ Escapee ⚰️ Victim 🧭 Reluctant ally

Elwin (Hal Havins)

The groundskeeper who becomes entangled in the house’s violence and attempts to ambush the intruders in the basement. His presence highlights the old estate’s secrets and the unpredictable danger lurking within.

🧰 Groundkeeper 🗡️ Aggressor 🕳️ Hidden

Devin Lauter (Kevin Tenney)

Avery's nephew who tries to reopen the house as an inn for paranormal tourists but halts the plan after Azimov’s death. He represents the modern impulse to commodify the supernatural, which the film critiques.

🏨 Heir 💼 Investor 🕯️ Curiosity

Azimov (Amazing Azimov) (Richard Fraga)

A magician enlisted to spend the night in the house, drawn into the occult danger. His presence marks the lure of showmanship and mysticism that accompanies the haunting, ending in a tragic death as the ritual progresses.

🪄 Magician 🌀 Occult ⚡ Victim

Frank Murphy (Jack W. Thompson)

A member of the investigative party who faces the escalating peril within the house. His fate mirrors the broader theme of danger that accompanies a pursuit of the supernatural.

🧭 Investigator 🩸 Victim

Q.T. Secretary (Lynn McRee)

A staff member within the paranormal team, adding to the group’s dynamics and the operational side of the haunting investigation.

👔 Secretary 🗂️ Support

Q.T. Employee (Virginia Miller)

Another staff member assisting the team, contributing to the logistical aspects of the investigation and the sense of a professional operation.

🧾 Employee 🧭 Support

Bartender (Greg Lewolt)

A minor supporting character who appears during the group's nocturnal activities within the house, contributing to the film’s texture of a lived-in, slightly chaotic investigation.

🍹 Support 🗣️ Minor

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:35

Major Themes – Witchtrap (1989)

Explore the central themes of Witchtrap (1989), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

👻 Supernatural

The film centers on supernatural forces that haunt the house and its inhabitants. Whitney's visions reveal hidden murders and past misdeeds, urging the team to confront cosmic threats beyond ordinary explanation. The line between belief and manipulation blurs as spirits exert influence over the living. Ultimately, the supernatural drive compels characters to face the consequences of meddling with occult power.

🔪 Violence

Violence erupts as Avery's spirit possesses individuals and activates deadly traps within the house. Ginger is killed in a violent act, setting off a chain of fatalities among the investigators. Felix is briefly possessed and joins the body count, while Agnes falls to Avery's hatchet. The climax showcases ritual-driven murder and the brutal effort to stop it.

🕯️ Occult

The core conflict revolves around an occult ritual intended to grant immortality. Avery's heart, hidden behind a wall and behind a pentagram, becomes a critical objective. The make-shift Satanic altar, the occult device, and the ritual structure all underscore how ancient dark practices collide with modern investigative methods. The struggle centers on containing or destroying the occult power before it completes its transmutation.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:35

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Witchtrap Summary

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Witchtrap Summary

Witchtrap Timeline

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Witchtrap Timeline

More About Witchtrap

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