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The Prowler 1981

A war veteran, deeply scarred by past trauma, returns to settle old scores and seek retribution for wrongs committed decades earlier. His quest for vengeance targets a new generation, causing his sense of justice to unravel. This sets off a dangerous and relentless game of cat and mouse, with devastating consequences for everyone involved, as the line between right and madness becomes increasingly blurred.

A war veteran, deeply scarred by past trauma, returns to settle old scores and seek retribution for wrongs committed decades earlier. His quest for vengeance targets a new generation, causing his sense of justice to unravel. This sets off a dangerous and relentless game of cat and mouse, with devastating consequences for everyone involved, as the line between right and madness becomes increasingly blurred.

Does The Prowler have end credit scenes?

No!

The Prowler does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of The Prowler

Explore the complete cast of The Prowler, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for The Prowler

See how The Prowler is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where The Prowler stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

45

Metascore

6.5

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

%

TOMATOMETER

review

0%

User Score

IMDb

5.9 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

60

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate The Prowler Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of The Prowler with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


The Prowler Quiz: Test your knowledge about the chilling events and characters of The Prowler from 1981.

What event do the townspeople gather to celebrate at the beginning of the movie?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for The Prowler

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Read the complete plot summary of The Prowler, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


It is the conclusion of World War II, and newsreel footage captures the triumphant return of soldiers from Europe aboard the Queen Mary. In a heartfelt letter dated March 12, 1945, a woman named Rosemary writes to her overseas lover, expressing her incapacity to wait any longer, as life has unfolded in unexpected ways, suggesting perhaps friendship upon his return.

Fast forward to the evening of June 28, 1945, in the quaint seaside community of Avalon Bay, New Jersey, where the townsfolk are gathered for a long-awaited graduation dance. Serving as escorts, G.I.s accompany their dates to this joyous occasion, where the class of ‘45 dances joyfully to the live orchestra. Among the attendees is Rosemary (played by Joy Glaccum), who is enjoying the evening with her new boyfriend Roy (performed by Timothy Wahrer). The couple seeks romance and decides to drive to a nearby lake, where they find a secluded gazebo adorned with twinkling lights.

However, their bliss is abruptly shattered when a mysterious figure appears, cloaked in full combat gear with a pitchfork in hand. As Rosemary and Roy embrace, she looks up and spots the pitchfork looming ominously above them. In a moment of horror, Rosemary screams as the stranger plunges the pitchfork through them both. In an unsettling gesture, he leaves a long-stemmed red rose in Rosemary’s lifeless hand. Unbeknownst to the celebrators at the dance, a dark fate has befallen the couple.

Jumping ahead 35 years, the town prepares once again for its graduation dance—a much-anticipated event that has not occurred since that tragic night. Pam MacDonald (played by Vicky Dawson) stops by to speak with Sheriff George Fraser (portrayed by Farley Granger) about the festivities. Their discussion reveals that the town’s long-time World War II veteran, Major Chatham (played by Lawrence Tierney), is discouraging the celebration in memory of the ghastly murders that haunted the town decades ago. Meanwhile, a nearby town has reported a robbery and a horrific murder of a young boy, igniting concern that the killer may be en route to Avalon Bay. Despite these unsettling developments, Sheriff Fraser intends to leave town for a fishing trip, leaving his deputy Mark London (Christopher Goutman) in charge.

As Pam and Mark’s chemistry ignites during a lunch date, she expresses her anxiety regarding the potential threat. Their budding romance is interrupted as Pam confides in her roommate Sherry (Lisa Dunsheath), who tries to ease her worries while preparing for the dance with the other girls. However, unbeknownst to them, a sinister presence looms. As Sherry leisurely showers, Carl (David Sederholm) surprises her with an unexpected visit, only to become the first victim when the intruder violently attacks him. As Sherry realizes the alarming truth, she is faced with a horrifying demise at the hands of the masked killer.

At the dance, Pam is optimistic about seeing Mark but becomes frustrated as Lisa commandeers his attention. After a string of unfortunate events, Pam heads back to the dorm room only to realize that something is awfully amiss. Hearing the shower running, she naively approaches, unaware of the gruesome reality of what has transpired. Moments later, she encounters a masked figure and narrowly escapes into the night, leading her to Mark, who searches for answers about her claims of being chased.

The suspense escalates as they attempt to visit Major Chatham’s home, where Pam discovers a scrapbook connected to Rosemary. Their investigation leads them back to the dance, warning Miss Allison (Donna Davis) and her students of the lurking danger. Tragically, it is too late for Lisa, who finds herself in a desperate fight for survival.

As chaos ensues, everyone in Avalon Bay is caught in a whirlwind of terror as they search for the truth. Each twist leads to more bloodshed—Mark grappling with the implications of two dead bodies in the dorm, and Pam uncovering sinister secrets tied to the past. The shocking revelations culminate in an intense showdown with the killer, who is ultimately revealed to be none other than Sheriff Fraser himself.

The following morning, as Pam faces the aftermath of the horrific events, she is once again confronted by the chilling remnants of the past—an unforgettable finale that leaves viewers breathless, echoing the horrors of that fateful night.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for The Prowler

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from The Prowler. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


The Prowler Trailer

The Prowler ≣ 1981 ≣ Trailer

Cars Featured in The Prowler

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Explore all cars featured in The Prowler, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Auburn

unknown

Chevrolet

1936

Master

Ford

1979

LTD Country Squire

Ford

1980

LTD-S

GM

G-Series

Jeep

CJ-5

Plymouth

1941

Special De Luxe

unknown

The Prowler Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


slashernude woman in a showerlow budget filmfemale topless nuditysadismmurder in a showervideo nastymasked killerflashingmurder of a womanpunchfinal girlminidresscat and mousenight swimming1980scult filmyear 1945year 1944shot in the headyear 1980double impalementscreamroseflashback1940sindependent filmserial murderhuman monstergrindhouse filmindependent horrormasked villainmasked manhomicidal maniacmurdered with a knifemutilationmutilated bodybad guyvillainevilevil maninsane manunknown murdererinsane personmysterious villainbody countslasher horrorslashed to deathslashingmurder spree

The Prowler Other Names and Titles

Explore the various alternative titles, translations, and other names used for The Prowler across different regions and languages. Understand how the film is marketed and recognized worldwide.


Rosemary's Killer El asesino de Rosemary The Prowler - Forke des Todes I dolofonia tis Rosemary O Assassino da Rosa Rosemaryn murhaaja The Graduation Pitchfork Massacre Quem Matou Rosemary Die Forke des Todes 로즈마리 킬러 Rosemary gyilkosa Vrah Rosemary Незнакомец 罗斯玛丽的杀手 Le massacre de Pitchford Вбивця Розмарі L’assassí de Rosemary

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Browse a curated list of movies similar in genre, tone, characters, or story structure. Discover new titles like the one you're watching, perfect for fans of related plots, vibes, or cinematic styles.


Other Names for The Prowler

Explore the alternate titles, translations, and working names for The Prowler. Learn how the film is known in different regions, languages, and releases, and discover the variations that reflect its cultural reach and marketing choices.


Rosemary's Killer El asesino de Rosemary The Prowler - Forke des Todes I dolofonia tis Rosemary O Assassino da Rosa Rosemaryn murhaaja The Graduation Pitchfork Massacre Quem Matou Rosemary Die Forke des Todes 로즈마리 킬러 Rosemary gyilkosa Vrah Rosemary Незнакомец 罗斯玛丽的杀手 Le massacre de Pitchford Вбивця Розмарі L’assassí de Rosemary

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