Year: 1992
Runtime: 90 mins
Language: English
Director: Mansour Pourmand
An S&M‑obsessed murderer is terrorizing a quiet California town. Freshly promoted detective Lisa Ryder, a young policewoman, is assigned her first major case: to track, profile, and capture the serial killer behind the gruesome crimes. As the body count rises, she must navigate the killer’s sadistic games and confront the darkness lurking in her community.
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Zipperface (1992), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Palm City is haunted by a sadomasochistic serial killer in a bondage suit, preying on stage actresses who moonlight as BDSM prostitutes. The killer moves with methodical precision, leaving a chilling trail across the city and earning the nickname Zipperface in police reports and street chatter.
Detectives Lisa Ryder and Harry Shine are assigned to the case, under intense pressure to bring the culprit to justice quickly. The investigation unfolds under the watchful eye of Mayor Angela Harris, who makes it clear that public safety and political credibility are on the line.
As clues accumulate, a rotating cast of suspects emerges: a misogynist fellow officer named Willy Scalia, a cross-dressing mayoral aide named Devon McClain, a charitable preacher named Reverend Dimsdale, and a professional photographer named Michael Walker. Each figure carries potential motives and access to the victims.
Within this web of possibilities, the relationship between the detectives and the photographer deepens, creating personal stakes as the investigation intensifies and the emphasis shifts toward one suspect’s possible connection to the killings.
Mounting circumstantial evidence points toward the photographer, leading to his suspension and a warrant for arrest. The team tracks a lead that links Reverend Dimsdale to the case, suggesting he may have played a role in organizing the violence by exploiting the vulnerable workers he claimed to help.
They question one of Dimsdale’s prostitutes, who recounts a late-night call in which he begged her not to keep an appointment with a new client, hinting at a secret network behind the disappearances.
Following the clues to an abandoned warehouse, they discover Zipperface’s sex dungeon. In the confrontation, the killer wounds the photographer and attempts to strangle the detective; the photographer regains his footing, saves her, and stabs the killer with his machete. Shine arrives with backup and Mayor Harris.
The killer is unmasked as Brewster Harris, the mayor’s husband, who admits that emasculation and a need to dominate drove him to target the sex workers.
Overwhelmed, Mayor Harris realizes her political career is finished and shoots Brewster Harris, bringing an end to the deadly spree.
Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:14
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Stories centered on a female investigator confronting a deeply disturbing case.If you liked the investigative journey of Detective Lisa Ryder in Zipperface, explore more movies with a similar focus. This section features crime thrillers and procedural dramas centered on a female detective confronting a dark and disturbing case that tests her skills and resolve.
These stories follow a linear investigative structure, where the detective methodically pursues a killer or criminal. The journey is as much about her internal fortitude and profiling skills as it is about the external chase, often culminating in a personal and professional reckoning.
Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on a female detective protagonist, a dark and gritty investigative tone, and the heavy emotional weight of confronting evil. They offer a specific perspective within the crime genre.
A peaceful community hides a web of dark secrets and systemic corruption.Fans of Zipperface's exploration of a community's dark underbelly will find similar stories here. These movies are suspenseful thrillers and horrors set in small towns where a shocking crime reveals deep-seated corruption, political scandal, and hidden violence.
The narrative pattern involves an outsider or a moral protagonist uncovering the truth behind a seemingly isolated incident, which spirals into a wider conspiracy. The conflict is not just with an individual criminal but with an entrenched system of power and silence that protects evil.
These movies share a central theme of community corruption lurking beneath a tranquil facade. They create a specific, oppressive atmosphere where the setting itself becomes an antagonist, and the tension comes from peeling back layers of deception.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Zipperface 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 Zipperface is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Zipperface with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Zipperface. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Zipperface 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.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Zipperface: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
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