Rest in Pieces 1987

Inheritance and arrival at Catherine's estate

Catherine Boyle commits suicide by ingesting strychnine, an act she records on video. Helen Hewitt and her husband Bob travel from Los Angeles to Catherine's sprawling Pennsylvania estate to pay respects and claim the inheritance. Their relocation marks the beginning of a tense new life among the houseguests.

Arrival and the living guests

Upon moving in, Helen and Bob discover Catherine's friends already inhabiting the property, living in the estate's various buildings. The group includes Lisa the live-in maid, an ex-military man, a blind concert pianist named David Hume, Dr. Anderson, Gertrude Stein, Jack Ritchy, Whitmore the writer, and Reverend Faherty. The presence of so many strange guests unsettles the couple from the start.

Search for the hidden fortune

Bob begins searching for Catherine's rumored eight-million-dollar fortune, convinced it is hidden somewhere on the property. In the basement, he uncovers piles of rotten food infested with rats, hinting at the house's decayed, sinister secrets. Catherine's fortune, though believed to be real, remains elusive and its location unknown.

Recital concert and gruesome reveal

The houseguests stage a small recital featuring guest performers, seemingly for their staff and each other. At the end of the performance, they murder the unsuspecting musicians, dismember the bodies, and burn the instruments in a furnace, revealing themselves to be part of a death cult. Helen's sense of safety begins to crumble as the group's true nature comes to light.

Helen's haunting visions and unsettling moves

Helen is plagued by apparitions of her aunt Catherine and feels her belongings being moved around the house. She becomes convinced the guests are attempting to drive them away, and starts to suspect that the apparitions are real rather than mere tricks. The uncanny disturbances intensify as the estate seems to close in on them.

Bob confronts the six houseguests

Bob confronts the six houseguests who remain devoted to Catherine and claim to know the money's location but insist they have no interest in taking it. The confrontation reveals a chilling indifference to the couple and hints at deeper loyalties within the group. The tension escalates as the couple realizes they are outmatched.

Candlelight session and Catherine's alleged message

The group gathers in the parlor to light candles, and as the flames extinguish, the Reverend claims Catherine is communicating with them. Helen remains unsettled as the room grows darker and the cult's control over the house seems to deepen. The ritual atmosphere underscores the power the guests wield within Catherine's legacy.

Louis the attorney is murdered on the road

Bob summons Louis, an attorney, to the house to handle the estate's affairs. On the road, Louis is intercepted by David and stabbed to death, eliminating the legal challenge surrounding Catherine's will. The murder signals the extent of the cult's ruthlessness and the danger closing in on Helen.

Pool confrontation and Bob's downfall

Helen is confronted by the houseguests in the estate's swimming pool as they close in on her. Bob tries to intervene to protect her, but Lisa and Gertrude stab him to death before sedating Helen. The couple's defenses crumble as the cult asserts its control over the property.

Anderson's revelation and the truth about Catherine

Dr. Anderson explains that he was a doctor at Catherine's hospital and reveals the others are former patients who have since committed suicide. The revelation confirms that the 'death cult' comprises people who died rather than living in the real world. The cultists intensify their pursuit of Helen as they insist they merely follow Catherine's instructions.

Bob's deal and Helen's captivity

Helen awakens to find the cultists informing her they are following Catherine's instructions and that Bob has made a deal with them. They offer the money if they can coerce Helen into suicide. The power dynamic shifts as Helen grapples with betrayal and the looming choice about her own life.

Final confrontation and escape

A violent struggle erupts as Helen sabotages the gathering to prevent the ritualized suicide. She slashes Gertrude's throat, and she and Bob manage to flee the estate. The couple's escape is underscored by fear and guilt as they realize the danger may follow them.