Final Exam 1981

Murder in the campus parking lot

During a night at March College, a couple is making out in a parked car when an unseen assailant slices the roof open and murders them both. The brutal attack is swift and brutal, leaving the scene in chaos and bloodstains on the vehicle. This marks the killer's first strike on campus and sets a chilling tone for what follows.

Lanier College prank to extend study time

Across town, Lanier College's fraternity stages a faux shooting to give students extra time to study for finals. The prank appears successful as more students remain on campus than usual. The campus is left under a false sense of security while real danger lurks nearby.

Murderer arrives and begins stalking

The killer from the March College murders arrives on Lanier College in a van and begins stalking the remaining students. He moves through dorms and corridors with methodical calm, picking off targets as the night wears on. Tension escalates as the campus realizes the threat is real.

Courtney studies for exams

Courtney, a bookish student, is fully focused on her studying as finals approach. She pores over notes and equations, oblivious to the danger inching closer to the campus. Her scholarly routine contrasts sharply with the unfolding horror outside.

Lisa prepares to leave for NYC; affair

Lisa, the wealthy roommate, is packing to return home to New York City for break. She is entangled in an affair with Professor Reynolds, adding political and personal tensions to the campus atmosphere. The subplot thickens even as the killer's presence becomes more pronounced.

Gary bound to a tree; murder

Gary, a Gamma Delta pledge, is restrained to a tree as part of a prank. The murderer unties him, descends, and ends his life with a knife. The brutal act demonstrates the killer's reach and brutality.

Janet spots silhouette on rooftop; killed

Gary's girlfriend Janet arrives to search for him and spots a silhouette on a building rooftop. She chases the figure, realizes it is not Gary, and attempts to flee. The killer grabs her and murders her before she can escape.

Wildman lured to gym; garrotted

Wildman is drawn into a dark gym under the pretense of stealing prescription drugs from the coach's office. The intruder reveals himself, overpowers Wildman, and garrotes him at a weight-lifting machine. The murder adds another layer of peril to the campus.

Mark discovers carnage; chased and stabbed

Mark discovers Wildman's body and is chased by the killer into the school's electrical building. The attacker springs from a barrel and stabs Mark, killing him. The chase heightens the sense that danger is closing in on everyone left alive.

Radish warns Courtney; police dismiss

Radish uncovers more carnage and radios the campus police, but they dismiss his warning as another prank gone wrong. He hurries to warn Courtney of the imminent danger. The lack of immediate help fuels a growing sense of helplessness.

Radish murdered in Courtney's dorm room

Inside Courtney's dorm room, the killer corners Radish and murders him. The room fills with panic as Courtney remains unaware of the immediate threat looming over her. The personal attack heightens the sense that no place on campus is safe.

Courtney returns to dorm; Radish's body pinned to the door

Courtney returns to her dormitory and discovers Radish's body pinned to her door, a grisly message from the killer. The sense of isolation intensifies as everyone else has left for break. She steels herself for the confrontation to come.

Lisa dies in the conservatory

Lisa waits for Dr. Reynolds in the conservatory, unaware of the danger closing in. The killer enters and stabs her to death, removing another key figure from the campus community. Courtney learns of the murder and its immediate threat to her own safety.

Courtney takes refuge in the clock tower

After the murder, the killer pursues Courtney through the dorms. She arms herself with a kitchen knife and takes refuge in the campus clock tower. The situation seems dire as the killer closes in on her isolated perch.