Woodchipper Massacre

Woodchipper Massacre

Year: 1988

Runtime: 81 mins

Language: English

HorrorComedy

Jon, Tom and Denise unintentionally cause the death of their senile aunt, who was babysitting them while their father is away on business. Panicked, they rent a woodchipper and attempt to hide the body in the backyard. Their plan unravels when their cousin Kim—her son—arrives unexpectedly, bringing fresh complications.

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Timeline – Woodchipper Massacre (1988)

Trace every key event in Woodchipper Massacre (1988) 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

Father leaves for business trip

With the father away on a business trip, the children are left in the care of Aunt Tess. Tess immediately imposes strict rules and lectures them about dating, late nights, and entertainment. The household atmosphere grows tense as the kids adjust to her rigid control.

Family home
2

Aunt Tess tightens the reins

Aunt Tess asserts dominance, monitoring homework and chores while preaching that their lifestyle is morally wrong. She bans movies and music and uses religion to justify her harsh rules. The children's attempts at normality are stifled by her relentless discipline.

Family home
3

Tom receives a hunting knife

Tom receives a hunting knife mailed to the house, but Tess refuses to let him keep it. A heated argument erupts as they clash over the weapon. The tension between them foreshadows the tragedy to come.

Family home
4

A deadly struggle ends Tess's life

During the struggle, Tess is accidentally fatally stabbed in the stomach. The children are shocked by the unintended death and scramble to conceal what happened. They decide that denial and secrecy are their only options.

Family home
5

The dismemberment and freezing of Tess

The siblings dismember Tess's body and store the remains in the freezer to hide the crime. They work quickly to avoid drawing attention from the adults who might check on them. The chilling routine of ordinary chores continues as if nothing occurred.

Family home
6

The woodchipper disposal

They remove the frozen remnants from the freezer and feed them into a woodchipper, destroying the remains. The process is presented as a grim calculation rather than a spectacle. The crime appears to be buried under everyday activity.

Family home
7

Kim returns seeking money

Kim, Tess's son recently released from prison, arrives claiming money is owed and tries to extract cash from the house. He threatens the children if they won't give him the money. The family tension intensifies as the intruder's presence unsettles the home.

Family home
8

Kim is lured toward the woodchipper

Denice and Tom lure Kim toward the woodchipper under the pretense of a final task and plot to eliminate him. They pretend the machine is a lucrative object they can exploit. The tension escalates as their plan moves closer to execution.

Family home
9

Kim is killed in the woodchipper

Tom starts the woodchipper and Jon pushes Kim into it, killing him. The act completes the trio's escalation from deception to murder. The children attempt to maintain normalcy as if nothing happened.

Family home
10

Evidence moves toward the airport

Jon drives Kim's car to the airport to hide the evidence and hitches a ride back, trying to distance himself from the crime. The escape plan relies on remaining unseen as the family waits for their father to return.

En route to the airport
11

Chores continue while hiding the truth

Denice and Tom rake and mow the lawn, keeping up appearances to please their father. They act as if chores are the sole concern while the truth simmers beneath the surface. The routine provides the illusion that normal life persists.

Front yard
12

Father returns home

The father returns home and is greeted by the seemingly ordinary children on the driveway. He notices nothing suspicious as the family maintains the charade. The siblings feel momentary relief that they may have gotten away with it.

Driveway
13

Final hint of the crime lingering

The camera lingers on the ground where woodchips remain and Tess's ring lies, hinting at the hidden crime that may surface later. The ending suggests the truth may eventually come to light despite their deception.

Yard

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:25

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Woodchipper Massacre Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Woodchipper Massacre

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