What Is Hobgoblins About?
The premise of Hobgoblins in 285 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the dimly lit corridors of a forgotten movie studio, a hidden vault houses something far stranger than old reels or dusty props. When a shipment of mischievous hobgoblins slips free, the seemingly playful creatures begin to offer anyone who wishes a tantalizing glimpse of a deepest desire—only to twist that wish into a dangerous trap. The atmosphere crackles with a blend of low‑budget horror and off‑beat comedy, letting the absurdity of fantasy‑granting entities collide with the gritty reality of a night‑shift security post.
(Dennis), the lone guard who watches over the studio after dark, is the first to sense that something beyond the ordinary has been set loose. His routine patrol quickly becomes a pulse‑pounding race against a force that can turn imagination into peril. By his side is his skeptical girlfriend, whose sharp wit and practical outlook keep the pair grounded even as the studio’s shadows grow stranger.
Across the lot, a young aspiring musician named (Kevin) lands the night‑shift job in hopes of impressing his girlfriend, (Amy). Their small circle expands with (Daphne), whose bold confidence contrasts with the nerdy, good‑natured (Kyle), and (Nick), a steady‑hand boyfriend who adds a touch of bravado to the mix. As the clock ticks toward sunrise, the group finds themselves trapped in a surreal battleground where their own fantasies become both lure and liability.
The film teeters between tension and dark humor, using the eerie studio setting and the unpredictable nature of the hobgoblins to explore how desire can both empower and endanger. With each character bringing a distinct personality—and a hidden wish—to the night’s chaotic tableau, the story invites viewers to wonder what they would ask for if given the chance, and at what cost.
What Happens in Hobgoblins?
The complete story of Hobgoblins, from the first scene to the last, in 530 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 7 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
The film opens with a security guard named Dennis investigating a deserted film vault at an old movie studio. Inside, his dream of becoming a rock star briefly comes true as he performs on a stage, but he dies at the moment of triumph. His boss, Mr. McCreedy, James R. Sweeney, closes the door upon discovering the body and quietly guards the secret of what lies inside.
A young man named Kevin, Tom Bartlett, takes the vacant job to impress his girlfriend, Amy, Paige Sullivan. After his first shift, he arrives home to find his two friends, the sex-crazed Daphne Kelley Palmer and the nerdy Kyle Steven Boggs, waiting with Amy Paige Sullivan. Also present is Nick Billy Frank, Daphne’s Army boyfriend, who adds to the rowdy dynamics. The group teases Kevin with a long, silly contest in which he spars with a rake and a garden hoe; Kevin loses, Amy berates him for his weaknesses, and Daphne and Nick retreat to Nick’s van for a private moment, leaving Kevin to feel the sting of insecurity and the pressure to prove himself.
The following evening, while pursuing a burglar, Kevin stumbles onto the vault’s hidden contents: a small group of hairy, demonic hobgoblins that escape into the night. Mr. McCreedy explains that these beings crash-landed on the studio lot decades earlier and have been closely guarded by him ever since. The hobgoblins possess a hypnotic power to turn a person’s deepest fantasies into reality, but those fantasies come with a deadly price as they recoil against their host.
The hobgoblins waste no time and head straight to Kevin’s house, where his friends are partying and the lights draw them in. The creatures grant their hosts’ fantasies, but the results are chaotic and dangerous. Amy’s fantasy pulls her toward the gleaming, sleazy Club Scum, where she reveals a hidden desire to shed her sexual inhibitions and become a stripper, and Kevin and the others follow in pursuit, curious and alarmed about what this power can do to their lives.
As the night spirals, Nick is granted a heroic fantasy of leading a commando raid. In the ensuing chaos, he is cast onto fire by a hand grenade thrown by his own commanding officer and appears to be killed—only to return later, bandaged and on crutches, seemingly unharmed but deeply altered by the experience. Kevin manages to kill the hobgoblin controlling Amy before she can become involved with Roadrash, the scruffy bouncer from Club Scum, Duane Whitaker. Amy returns to her original self, though the night leaves her with a new sense of freedom and reduced inhibition.
Believing the danger is over, Kevin, Amy, Kyle, and Daphne return to the studio lot to report to McCreedy. The burglar from earlier reappears as another phantom, and McCreedy shoots the controlling hobgoblin, saving Kevin’s life. The remaining hobgoblins retreat to the vault, which McCreedy seals with explosives. The creatures are blown to pieces, ending their immediate threat. In the aftermath, Amy promises to share a night of intimacy with Kevin, Nick returns to Daphne, and Kyle, the outliers, asks to use McCreedy’s phone, signaling that the night’s strange events may not be completely over.
Hobgoblins Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
11 key events in the order they happen, from “Dennis investigates the deserted vault” to “McCreedy reinforces the vault”. 11 events name a place, across 9 locations.
- 1
Dennis investigates the deserted vault
Security guard Dennis explores an abandoned film vault at an old studio. His fantasy of being a rock star briefly comes to life on stage, but he dies in the illusion. His boss, Mr. McCreedy, discovers the body and shuts the vault door.
Where:Old film studio vault
- 2
Kevin starts a new job to impress Amy
Kevin takes the vacant job to win over his girlfriend Amy. After his first shift, he returns home to find a party waiting with Daphne, Kyle, and Amy, and Nick too. A goofy contest with a rake and a garden hoe ends with Kevin losing, while Daphne and Nick have sex in Nick's van.
Where:Kevin's home
- 3
Hobgoblins escape from the vault
The next evening, while pursuing a burglar, Kevin stumbles upon the studio vault and a small group of hobgoblins escapes. The creatures reveal themselves and begin to menace the lot. Mr. McCreedy explains that they crash-landed decades ago and have been kept under guard all this time.
When:Next evening Where:Studio vault
- 4
Hobgoblins target Kevin's house
The hobgoblins travel to Kevin's house, drawn by the bright lights, and immediately grant the group their fantasies. The fantasies come true with deadly consequences, as reality twists around their desires. The friends realize the danger of these powerfully dangerous creatures.
Where:Kevin's house
- 5
Amy's nightclub fantasy takes over Club Scum
Amy's repressed sexual desires are unleashed under hobgoblin manipulation, steering the group to Club Scum. The nightclub becomes the stage for Amy to enact a forbidden fantasy as the hobgoblins manipulate events.
Where:Club Scum nightclub
- 6
Nick's fantasy raid and his apparent death
In the melee at Club Scum, Nick experiences a brutal commando raid fantasy. A hand grenade knocks him out and he appears killed, only to return later, bandaged and on crutches. The chaos underscores how dangerous the hobgoblins' power can be.
Where:Club Scum
- 7
Kevin defeats the hobgoblin controlling Amy
Kevin fights the hobgoblin controlling Amy and kills it just before she can have sex with Roadrash. Amy is restored to her original personality, though she emerges with a notably less repressed attitude.
Where:Club Scum
- 8
Group returns to report to McCreedy; burglar resurfaces
Thinking the threat is over, Kevin, Amy, Kyle, and Daphne return to the studio lot to report to Mr. McCreedy. The burglar from the earlier pursuit confronts Kevin, but he realizes the burglar is a phantom created by hobgoblins and defeats it.
Where:Studio lot
- 9
McCreedy shoots the controlling hobgoblin
McCreedy shoots the hobgoblin still controlling the burglar, saving Kevin. The remaining hobgoblins retreat back into the vault, which McCreedy has already filled with explosives.
Where:Studio vault
- 10
Hobgoblins blown away; ending tensions
The hobgoblins are blown to pieces by the explosives. In the aftermath, Amy promises to have sex with Kevin, Nick returns to have sex with Daphne, and Kyle asks to use McCreedy's phone, hinting at more phone-sex antics.
Where:Studio lot and vault vicinity
- 11
McCreedy reinforces the vault
With the hobgoblins defeated, McCreedy secures the vault and ensures there are no lingering threats. The studio is left to deal with the aftermath of the chaotic night.
Where:Film studio vault
Who Are the Main Characters in Hobgoblins?
12 characters, among them Kevin — Tom Bartlett, Amy — Paige Sullivan and Nick — Billy Frank: who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- K—
Kevin — Tom Bartlett
Played by Tom Bartlett
Kevin is a new hire who hopes to impress his girlfriend and prove his bravery. He starts as a fairly ordinary, uncertain guy who must face escalating danger from the hobgoblins. Over the course of the night, he acts to defend his friends and ultimately shows real courage.
- 🧭 Ambition
- 🛡️ Bravery
- 🤞 Determination
- A—
Amy — Paige Sullivan
Played by Paige Sullivan
Amy is Kevin's girlfriend who begins as sexually repressed. The hobgoblins grant her fantasies, pulling her toward Club Scum and testing her boundaries. By the end, she returns to her core self but with a more open, less inhibited view of her sexuality.
- 💃 Liberation
- 💖 Vulnerability
- 🕊️ Transformation
- N—
Nick — Billy Frank
Played by Billy Frank
Nick is the loud, confident friend who embraces bravado until the fantasy world punishes him. His commandos fantasy leads to dangerous chaos; he appears to die in a fiery scene but returns later, underscoring the Hobgoblins' deadly whimsy.
- 🔥 Recklessness
- 🗡️ Bravado
- 💥 Chaos
- D—
Daphne — Kelley Palmer
Played by Kelley Palmer
Daphne is a party-loving friend who flirts with risk and energy. She feeds into the group's dynamics and becomes entangled in the hobgoblins' mischief, though she remains a loyal companion to Kevin and the others.
- 🎯 Friendship
- 😈 Playfulness
- 🫶 Loyalty
- K—
Kyle — Steven Boggs
Played by Steven Boggs
Kyle is the nerdy, somewhat self-deprecating member of the group. He provides comic relief and a counterpoint to Kevin's boldness, while still getting drawn into the chaotic night.
- 🧑💼 Comedy
- 🧠 Geekiness
- 🕶️ Skepticism
- MM
Mr. McCreedy — James R. Sweeney
Played by James R. Sweeney
McCreedy is the elderly studio boss who has guarded the hobgoblins for decades. He embodies practicality and control, ultimately making the tough choice to end the threat with explosive force to protect Kevin and the crew.
- 🛡️ Protector
- 🎩 Authority
- 🧭 Strategic
-
Club MC — Daran Norris
Played by Daran Norris
Club MC is the emcee of Club Scum, embodying the seedy, over-the-top energy of the nightclub scene that the hobgoblins exploit. He anchors the chaotic atmosphere and the nocturnal setting of the film's climax.
- 🎤 Emcee
- 🕺 Nightlife
- 🌀 Chaos
- F—
Fantazia — Tamara Clatterbuck
Played by Tamara Clatterbuck
Fantazia is one of the hobgoblins with the power to bend human fantasies. She uses this ability to manipulate the group's desires, contributing to the film's blend of comedy and horror.
- 🪄 Fantasies
- 🧪 Manipulation
- 👾 Nonhuman
- R—
Roadrash — Duane Whitaker
Played by Duane Whitaker
Roadrash is the scruffy nightclub bouncer who becomes a target of hobgoblin influence. He appears in the Club Scum chaos, representing the rough edge of the club environment.
- 🤘 Bouncer
- 🧱 Enforcer
- 🌀 Chaos
- C—
Comstock — Don Barrett
Played by Don Barrett
Comstock is the burglar introduced earlier who reappears as a phantom created by the hobgoblins. His presence underscores the blurring of real threat and illusion in the film.
- 🧭 Intruder
- 🧱 Adversary
- 👁️ Spectral
- P—
Pixie — Kari French
Played by Kari French
Pixie is a minor character connected to the night scene. She participates in the group's dynamic but does not drive the plot.
- 🎐 Minor Character
- 🪄 Whimsy
- 🗣️ Support
- T—
Thug — Ken Abraham
Played by Ken Abraham
Thug is a supporting antagonist who contributes to the film's rough, menacing atmosphere. He serves as a physical obstacle within the plot's street-level conflict.
- 🗡️ Threat
- 🧱 Enforcer
- 🥷 Henchman
Where and When Is Hobgoblins Set?
Hobgoblins is set in Old Movie Studio, Film Vault, Club Scum nightclub and Kevin's House (1980s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1980s
The events unfold in a contemporary 1980s setting, reflecting the era’s low-budget horror-comedy vibe. The film’s production design, fashion cues, and club atmosphere situate it squarely in that decade. Nighttime exploits at the studio and Club Scum contrast with daytime routines at Kevin’s home, underscoring a period-specific blend of mundanity and chaos. The overall mood captures the late-80s sensibility of excess and experimentation.
Where
Old Movie Studio, Film Vault, Club Scum nightclub, Kevin's House
The story centers on an old movie studio lot and its desert storm-era film vault where the hobgoblins crash-landed. The narrative shifts between backstage studio spaces and the neon-lit chaos of Club Scum, a sleazy nightclub that becomes a focal point for the characters' fantasies. Kevin's house also serves as a stage for the group’s gatherings and the immediate consequences of the hobgoblins’ powers. The setting blends behind-the-scenes film production with a dangerous, fantastical intrusion.
- 🎬 Film Studio
- 🌃 Nightlife
- 🏠 Domestic
What Are the Themes of Hobgoblins?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Fantasy Consequences, Sexual Morality and Heroism.
-
01
Fantasy Consequences
The hobgoblins grant people their deepest fantasies, but those fantasies come with deadly side effects. The movie uses humor and horror to show how desires can spiral when acted upon without restraint. It suggests that fantasies reveal vulnerabilities and can destabilize relationships when they collide with reality.
-
02
Sexual Morality
Amy’s sexual repression is amplified by the hobgoblins, pushing her toward a nightclub fantasy that challenges her boundaries. The story probes how culture and personal fear shape sexuality, and how liberation can come at a personal cost. By the end, she retains her core identity but with a more open outlook.
-
03
Heroism
Kevin evolves from a nerves-ridden new hire into someone who must confront both human threats and supernatural mischief. He faces escalating danger, tries to protect his friends, and learns to act decisively under pressure. The climax frames courage as a choice to face fear for the sake of others.
What Kind of Film Is Hobgoblins?
Light in tone, with fast pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A campy and chaotic creature feature that feels like a low-budget, humorous thrill ride, where dangerous fantasies collide with slapstick antics and a general sense of absurdity.
- zany
- campy
- cheesy
- silly
- bizarre
- chaotic
- dangerous fantasy
- creature feature
- survival horror
- wish fulfillment
Content notes: fantasy-induced death, man set on fire.
Quiz
How well do you remember Hobgoblins? Test yourself on the story.
