Directed by
Anthony Waller
Made by
Buena Vista Pictures
Discover the intricate plot of An American Werewolf in Paris (1997). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
In the enchanting City of Love, Andy McDermott, portrayed by Tom Everett Scott, set off on a carefree adventure with his friends, Brad and Chris, soaking in the captivating sights and sounds of Paris. However, their joyful escapade took a startling turn when Serafine Pigot, played by Julie Delpy, made a daring leap from the Eiffel Tower, mere moments before Andy was to follow suit. Seizing the unexpected chance, Andy performed an audacious mid-air rescue, inadvertently pulling himself into a labyrinth of intrigue as Serafine disappeared into the night.
The mystery deepened when Andy, Chris, and Brad stumbled upon Club de la Lune, an eccentric nightclub owned by Serafine’s mysterious friend, Claude. Even though Serafine was absent, Chris decided to visit her, only to find himself ensnared in her basement with an unlikely companion: a legless werewolf restrained to a bed. As the night unfolded, Chris managed to escape and rush back to his friends, revealing the sinister plot brewing beneath the surface.
They soon learned that Claude was no ordinary club owner; he was the head of a clandestine society of werewolves, using his nightclub as a hunting ground for unsuspecting patrons. Just when Serafine reemerged, imploring Andy to flee, she revealed her true self—a fierce, voracious werewolf. Chaos ensued as Claude and his pack unleashed terror, resulting in the brutal slaughter of patrons, including Brad.
The following day, Andy found himself engulfed in Serafine’s world, grappling with the horrifying revelation that he was beginning to transform into a werewolf as well. Just as he began to come to terms with this dark reality, the ghost of Serafine’s mother appeared ominously, casting a shadow over their dialogue. In a state of panic, Andy jumped from a window, leaving Chris behind as he entered a desperate quest for survival.
As the danger escalated, a ghostly apparition of Brad appeared before Andy, unveiling the grim facts surrounding his own condition. To reclaim his humanity, Andy realized he would need to confront the source of his affliction—the very beast that had bitten him. Equally pressing was Brad’s spirit’s plea for vengeance against the werewolf responsible for his death.
Amidst this turmoil, Andy found himself drawn to an American tourist named Amy Finch at a cemetery, where he succumbed to his primal instincts, unleashing a gruesome attack. His subsequent capture was short-lived, as he managed to break free, only to be haunted by Amy’s ghostly figure demanding retribution.
Claude and his followers soon ensnared Andy, coercing him into a horrific ultimatum: to kill Chris. Yet, Serafine intervened once again, rescuing Andy and bringing him back to her hideout, where they discovered the aftermath of a violent pillaging—a clear indication that Claude had stolen vital, life-saving drugs developed by Serafine’s stepfather, who was also confined to a bed as a legless werewolf.
With the oppressive summer heat enveloping the city, Andy and Serafine became aware of Claude’s sinister intent to throw a Fourth of July party, deceptively framed as a joyful gathering. With their suspicions raised, they infiltrated this seemingly innocent event, determined to help attendees escape Claude’s malevolence. However, their mission took a frantic turn when they discovered law enforcement had arrived, sealing the fate of many trapped inside.
Under Claude’s malevolent influence, the atmosphere turned chaotic, unleashing a bloodbath that claimed the lives of nearly all guests at the party. As Andy and Serafine desperately fled, they encountered a monstrous werewolf, forcing them into a fight for their lives.
In the ensuing chaos, Serafine took a bold step, injecting herself with a potent serum to battle another ferocious creature. Meanwhile, Andy wandered into their confrontation, oblivious to the truth, and made a tragic error—accidentally shooting Serafine, leaving her vulnerable to the authorities.
In a fateful twist, a pursuing werewolf met its demise at the hands of an oncoming train, leaving several shaken passengers unharmed as Andy boarded the train, knowing his transformation loomed near.
As the drug’s effects faded, Claude emerged as the true mastermind behind the devastation, leading to an intense clash for control of the last vial of serum. Andy soon unraveled Claude’s role in his curse and was compelled to confront the dark forces that had guided him to this moment.
As their confrontation reached its climax, an unintentional injection with the final dose of the drug turned the tide. Ultimately, Andy triumphed over Claude, devouring his heart in a crucial act to break their mutual curse and potentially lift Serafine’s as well.
In a poignant finale, Serafine and Andy celebrated their love atop the iconic Statue of Liberty, surrounded by the echoes of their harrowing journey. Their friend Chris, having steadfastly endured the trials alongside them, inadvertently dropped the wedding ring into the depths below, prompting the newlyweds to take a literal leap of faith—bungee jumping off the statue as they embraced a new life against the breathtaking backdrop of New York City’s skyline.
Track the key events of An American Werewolf in Paris (1997) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Adventurous Arrival in Paris
Andy McDermott arrives in the enchanting City of Love, Paris, embarking on a carefree adventure with his friends, Brad and Chris. They immerse themselves in the stunning sights and sounds of the city, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere filled with excitement and camaraderie.
The Leap from the Eiffel Tower
The joyous trip takes a shocking turn when Serafine Pigot leaps from the Eiffel Tower just moments before Andy is set to jump. In a split-second decision, Andy performs a daring mid-air rescue, which spirals him into a world of intrigue as Serafine disappears mysteriously into the night.
Discovery of Club de la Lune
Andy, Chris, and Brad stumble upon Club de la Lune, an eccentric nightclub run by the enigmatic Claude, who is linked to Serafine. Despite her absence, Chris ventures to find her, leading to a chilling encounter with a legless werewolf restrained in a dark basement.
The Sinister Society Unveiled
The trio soon uncovers that Claude is the head of a secret society of werewolves, using the club as a hunting ground for unsuspecting victims. In a perilous twist, Serafine rushes back into the scene, warning Andy to escape as the werewolves unleash chaos upon the patrons.
Transformation Begins
The day after the massacre, Andy grapples with the horrifying reality of his transformation into a werewolf. As he tries to understand his predicament, the ghost of Serafine's mother appears, heightening the tension and confusion surrounding him.
Brad's Ghostly Revelation
In a moment of despair, Andy is visited by the ghost of his friend Brad, who reveals grim details about the source of Andy's affliction. To reclaim his humanity and avenge Brad's death, Andy realizes he must confront the werewolf responsible for his change.
The Cemetery Encounter
At a cemetery, Andy becomes consumed by his primal instincts and attacks an American tourist named Amy Finch. Afterward, he feels taunted by Amy's ghostly figure, who demands vengeance for the horrific attack, further complicating Andy's internal struggle.
Claude's Ultimatum
Captured by Claude and his followers, Andy faces a horrific choice: to kill Chris or face dire consequences. Just when hope seems lost, Serafine intervenes again, rescuing Andy and revealing the chaotic aftermath of Claude's recent actions.
Planning the Fourth of July Infiltration
With the oppressive summer heat growing suffocating, Andy and Serafine discover Claude's plan for a Fourth of July party, which masks dark intentions. Determined to save potential victims, they prepare to infiltrate the event, unaware of the chaos that awaits.
Event Turns Deadly
As Andy and Serafine breach the Fourth of July party, the atmosphere quickly deteriorates into chaos. Law enforcement unexpectedly arrives, resulting in a bloodbath orchestrated by Claude, leading to the tragic loss of many innocent lives.
Battle with a Monstrous Werewolf
In the ensuing chaos, Andy and Serafine are confronted by a terrifying werewolf that pushes them into a fight for survival. The tension mounts as they strive to escape the mayhem of the party and the monstrous threats surrounding them.
A Tragic Mistake
In a fateful encounter, Serafine injects herself with a serum to gain strength against the advancing attacks. However, amidst the confusion, Andy mistakenly shoots Serafine, leaving her vulnerable as they struggle against their fierce adversaries.
Final Confrontation with Claude
As the chaos continues, Andy and Claude engage in a dramatic confrontation over the last vial of the serum. This battle reveals Claude's true nature and the dark forces at play, culminating in a desperate fight for survival.
Breaking the Curse
In a pivotal moment, an unintentional injection with the final dose of the serum turns the tables in Andy's favor. This leads him to ultimately defeat Claude by consuming his heart, breaking their mutual curse and possibly freeing Serafine in the process.
A New Beginning
In the aftermath of their harrowing experiences, Andy and Serafine celebrate their love at the top of the Statue of Liberty. However, a mishap with a wedding ring leads them to take a literal leap of faith, bungee jumping off the statue and embracing a hopeful new life together.
Meet the characters that bring An American Werewolf in Paris (1997) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Andy McDermott (Tom Everett Scott)
Andy is a carefree American tourist who finds himself entwined in a dark web of werewolf lore. His character embodies bravery and impulsiveness, especially during pivotal moments of rescue and confrontation. As he navigates love and horror, Andy's journey reflects both the charm and peril of adventure in an unfamiliar city.
Serafine Pigot (Julie Delpy)
Serafine is a complex character, balancing her werewolf nature with her human emotions. She emerges as both a protector and a potential danger for Andy, revealing her fierce loyalty and strength. Struggling with her identity, Serafine's duality is a central aspect of her character arc, paralleling Andy's own transformations.
Uncover the settings of An American Werewolf in Paris (1997), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
Summer, Fourth of July
The film takes place during a gritty, oppressive summer leading up to the Fourth of July festivities. This time is characterized by a sense of celebration, yet it juxtaposes the sinister undercurrents of the werewolf covenant that lurks in the shadows. The summer heat amplifies tensions as the characters navigate both romance and horror against a backdrop of festive chaos.
Location
Paris, Eiffel Tower, Club de la Lune, Statue of Liberty, New York City
The story unfolds in the enchanting City of Love, Paris, known for its romantic ambiance and iconic landmarks. Key locations include the Eiffel Tower, a symbol of the city's charm, and Club de la Lune, a mysterious nightclub that serves as a front for hidden supernatural activities. The journey ultimately leads to the Statue of Liberty in New York City, symbolizing freedom and new beginnings.
Explore the core themes of An American Werewolf in Paris (1997). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
🌕
Transformation
The theme of transformation is central to the film, as Andy navigates his horrifying change into a werewolf. This metamorphosis serves as a conduit for exploring identity, loss of humanity, and primal instincts. As he grapples with his dual nature, the story questions what it means to be human amid chaos and terror.
💔
Love and Sacrifice
Love drives the characters’ actions, particularly between Andy and Serafine, who face daunting obstacles in their pursuit of happiness. The narrative showcases the lengths to which they are willing to sacrifice for each other, highlighting the need for connection and loyalty even in the direst of circumstances. Their bond becomes pivotal in overcoming the darkness they face.
👻
Revenge
The haunting memories of lost friends lead to a theme of revenge, particularly embodied in Andy's confrontation with Claude and the werewolf that changed his fate. This quest for vengeance not only drives the plot but reflects deeper emotional struggles, emphasizing themes of justice and the consequences of untamed power.
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Check out our other apps:
Actors
Companies
Latest Movies
© 2024 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.