Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Drama thriller

The Disappearance (1981): Cast, Ratings & Plot

The Disappearance (1981) movie poster

The Disappearance is a 1981 drama thriller directed by Stuart Cooper, starring Donald Sutherland, Francine Racette and John Hurt. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes. IMDb users rate it 5.7/10.

Loading streaming availability…
The Disappearance (1981) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 31m (91 min)
Director
Stuart Cooper
Genres
Drama , Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Disappearance About?

The premise of The Disappearance without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A skilled contract killer finds his life shattered when his wife mysteriously disappears. He's plunged into a dangerous search for answers, uncovering a complex network of lies and facing a relentless pursuit. As he investigates, he confronts a chilling connection between his target and his wife's vanishing, forcing him to battle both external enemies and his own inner demons in a desperate attempt to find her.

The Disappearance Themes & Keywords

· 21 tags
  • exploitation
  • wife
  • disappearance
  • winter
  • neo noir
  • death of protagonist
  • snow
  • female nudity
  • cornflakes
  • bathtub
  • shot in the head
  • murder
+9 more
  • montreal quebec canada
  • london england
  • hitman
  • flashback
  • contract killing
  • betrayal
  • based on novel
  • independent film
  • surprise ending
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

The Disappearance Cast

Donald Sutherland leads the cast, with Francine Racette and John Hurt. Directed by Stuart Cooper; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Stuart Cooper

More films directed by Stuart Cooper: Magic Man, Overlord [re-release], The Hustle and Chameleon.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Disappearance Reviews & Ratings

IMDb users rate The Disappearance 5.7/10.

Plot

The Disappearance Plot Summary

What happens in The Disappearance from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Jay Mallory, portrayed by Donald Sutherland, is a contract killer based in the icy city of Montréal, working for a shadowy international crime syndicate. One frigid winter’s day, he returns to his downtown apartment only to discover that his wife, Celandine, played by Francine Racette, has vanished without a trace. Initially, Mallory suspects that Celandine left him of her own accord, as their marriage has often been tumultuous yet filled with passion. However, during a conversation with his primary contact at the Organization, Burbank, unsettling hints arise suggesting that Celandine’s disappearance might be linked to Mallory’s most recent assignment. Shortly after this discussion, Burbank himself mysteriously disappears.

Full summary

The whole story of The Disappearance, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Disappearance?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the protagonist of The Disappearance?

Seen The Disappearance?

FAQ

The Disappearance FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Disappearance, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Disappearance?

The Disappearance runs 1 hour 31 minutes (91 minutes).

When was The Disappearance released?

The Disappearance was released on September 25, 1981.

Who directed The Disappearance?

The Disappearance was directed by Stuart Cooper.

More films by Stuart Cooper

Who is in the cast of The Disappearance?

The Disappearance stars Donald Sutherland, Francine Racette and John Hurt, among 10 credited actors.

How is The Disappearance rated?

The Disappearance has 5.7/10 on IMDb.

Does The Disappearance have a post-credit scene?

No. The Disappearance has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app