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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of Clue (1985). 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 year 1954, a peculiar gathering unfolds at Hill House, a remote and eerie mansion nestled in New England. On this fateful evening, six unsuspecting strangers receive mysterious invitations to a dinner party, where they are greeted by the enigmatic butler, Wadsworth. As an air of uncertainty prevails, Wadsworth assigns each guest a pseudonym, ensuring that nobody is identified by their true name. The eclectic group includes Colonel Mustard, Mrs. White, Mrs. Peacock, Mr. Green, Professor Plum, and Miss Scarlet. Their meal is served amidst tension and curiosity, accompanied by Yvette, who plays the role of the maid.

Just as dinner begins to unfold, a seventh participant enters the scene—Mr. Boddy. What begins as a seemingly ordinary dinner takes a dark turn when Wadsworth reveals the true purpose of their gathering: Mr. Boddy has been blackmailing them for an extended period, taking advantage of their deepest secrets, along with those of Wadsworth and his deceased wife. The guests have come together to confront this manipulative figure and to ultimately turn him in to the authorities.

However, a chilling reminder emerges from Mr. Boddy himself, as he warns them that if he is apprehended, the scandal surrounding their own lives will inevitably be exposed. In a shocking twist, he presents each guest with a different weapon—an ominous candlestick, a sharp dagger, a heavy lead pipe, a sleek revolver, a length of rope, and a sturdy wrench—and suggests that perhaps one of them should take the drastic measure of eliminating Wadsworth instead to preserve their secrets. As the lights abruptly go out, a deafening gunshot rings through the air, and when illumination returns, Mr. Boddy’s lifeless body is discovered, devoid of any discernible cause of death.

Wadsworth steps forward to explain the unfathomable events that have transpired. He reveals that he orchestrated this gathering to confront Mr. Boddy, motivated by his wife’s tragic suicide, a consequence of Boddy’s vile tactics. Burdened with a purpose, Wadsworth sought to liberate the group from the chains of blackmail. However, the night spirals into further chaos when a cook, Mrs. Ho, is found dead—stabbed with the aforementioned dagger—while Mr. Boddy’s body mysteriously reappears, this time with injuries caused by the candlestick.

In a desperate attempt to regain control, Wadsworth locks the weapons away, poised to discard the key when an unexpected intruder—a stranded motorist—enters the lounge only to become another victim of the calamity, meeting his end at the hands of the wrench. As the chaos escalates, a police officer arrives at the mansion, but the situation becomes increasingly dire as the power goes out again, leading to further murders involving Yvette, the officer, and a telegram girl—all dispatched in a manner that capitalizes on the very weapons that were introduced earlier.

As the story unfolds, Wadsworth gathers the remaining guests to piece together the night’s horrors, surmising the identities of the perpetrators behind the earlier murders. Just when the tension reaches its zenith, various twists and turns diverge into three possible endings:

Ending A unveils a shocking truth—Yvette, under the influence of Miss Scarlet, orchestrated the murders to protect her illicit business. However, Wadsworth reveals himself as an undercover FBI agent, foiling her plans.

Ending B suggests that Mrs. Peacock, gripped by secrets of corruption, commits all the murders to safeguard her illicit activities. Yet, the twist comes with Wadsworth’s assertion of his role as a spy, now exposed to the law.

Ending C provides the most intricate revelation: each murder is attributed to a different guest, culminating in Mr. Green exposing his true identity as a federal agent who takes out Mr. Boddy. This unexpected hero leads the charge against the others, determined to put an end to the chaotic night.

In the chilling words of Mr. Green, > “I’m gonna go home, and sleep with my wife,” underscoring the complexity and layered intrigue of their evening at Hill House, which proves to be much more than just a dinner party.

Timeline

Track the key events of Clue (1985) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Invitation to Hill House

In 1954, six strangers receive mysterious invitations to a dinner party at Hill House, a secluded mansion in New England. They arrive not knowing each other and are greeted by Wadsworth, the butler, who assigns each guest a pseudonym.

1954 Hill House

Dinner and Arrival of Mr. Boddy

During dinner, a seventh guest, Mr. Boddy, arrives unexpectedly. This moment marks a significant shift as Wadsworth reveals the real purpose of the gathering: to confront Mr. Boddy over his blackmailing of the guests.

Hill House

Blackmail Revelation

Wadsworth discloses that Mr. Boddy has been blackmailing each of the guests, threatening to expose their guilty secrets if he is arrested. Tensions rise as each guest realizes the depth of Mr. Boddy's manipulations.

Weapon Distribution

As part of a twisted gift, Mr. Boddy provides the guests with different weapons, suggesting that one of them might consider killing Wadsworth instead. This unsettling proposition sows distrust among the group.

The First Murder

After Mr. Boddy turns off the lights, a gunshot is heard. When the lights are restored, the guests are horrified to find Mr. Boddy dead, with no obvious signs of how the murder was committed.

Dining Room

Cook's Death

Soon after Mr. Boddy's murder, the cook, Mrs. Ho, is found stabbed with a dagger. The stakes are raised as the group realizes they are not only dealing with blackmail but now a murderous conspiracy.

Kitchen

The Disappearance of Mr. Boddy

In a shocking turn, Mr. Boddy's body disappears, only to reappear later with new injuries showing signs of being killed by a candlestick. This revelation adds to the confusion and fear among the guests.

The Stranded Motorist

A stranded motorist arrives at the mansion and is inadvertently locked in the lounge as the investigation continues. His presence adds to the chaos, leading to another shocking murder with a wrench.

Lounge

Electricity Outage and More Murders

The electricity is turned off again, resulting in a series of murders. Yvette, a police officer, and the singing telegram girl are killed in rapid succession, further escalating the panic among the remaining guests.

Various Locations in the Mansion

Reconstruction of Events

Wadsworth gathers the guests to reveal he knows who the murderer is. He reconstructs the events of the night to unveil the chaos that has unfolded, attempting to identify the culprit among them.

Main Hall

Ending A Reveal

In one possible ending, Wadsworth reveals himself to be an undercover FBI agent. As he apprehends Miss Scarlet, the tension peaks when a gunshot accidentally reveals hidden secrets and nearly causes more chaos.

Main Hall

Ending B Revelation

In another ending, Mrs. Peacock's true nature is uncovered as she attempts to escape after committing all the murders to protect her secret dealings. Her confrontation with Wadsworth leads to her downfall.

Main Hall

Ending C: True Chaos

The final ending unveils a complex web of deceit where each guest played a role in the murders. Wadsworth, revealing himself as Mr. Boddy, is killed, only for Mr. Green to emerge as the true hero in disguise.

Main Hall

Final Confession

As the dust settles after the chaos, Mr. Green briefly reveals his undercover identity to the group, hinting at the ongoing conspiracy. His final line serves as a twist ending, leaving the audience in disbelief.

Main Hall

Characters

Meet the characters that bring Clue (1985) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Wadsworth (Tim Curry)

Wadsworth serves as the butler and the mastermind orchestrating the dinner party's surprise confrontation. His intelligence, wit, and underlying agenda make him a central figure in the unfolding drama. As the events progress, Wadsworth reveals his true motivations, showcasing his complexity and determination to bring justice.

🎩 Butler 🕵️‍♂️ Mastermind 🎭 Deceit

Miss Scarlet

Miss Scarlet is charming and cunning, using her allure to manipulate those around her. Her role as a call girl adds depth to her character, making her motivations for murder more sinister. As the plot progresses, her duplicitous nature is revealed, driving the narrative towards its thrilling conclusions.

💋 Femme Fatale 💼 Manipulative

Professor Plum

Professor Plum is a suave yet morally ambiguous character. He represents the entangled relationships among the guests, with his actions reflecting the darker sides of ambition and jealousy. His willingness to resort to violence reveals the lengths to which he will go to escape exposure.

📚 Intellectual 🎭 Ambitious

Setting

Uncover the settings of Clue (1985), 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

1954

The movie takes place in 1954, a time marked by post-war optimism and societal change in America. It reflects the uncertainties and hidden scandals of this era, particularly surrounding issues of crime, morality, and secrecy. This period's blend of propriety and duplicity adds to the film's suspenseful nature.

Location

Hill House, New England

Hill House is a secluded mansion located in New England, known for its grand architecture and eerie ambiance. A classic setting for mystery and intrigue, it plays host to a group of unlikely guests who confront their intertwined secrets. The mansion's isolated nature heightens the tension as the events unfold, creating a perfect backdrop for a deadly game of whodunit.

🏰 Mansion 🌳 Seclusion

Themes

Explore the core themes of Clue (1985). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


🔪

Deception

Deception runs rampant in 'Clue', as each character hides their true identity and secrets. The intrigue lies not only in the murders but also in the false facades the guests maintain to protect themselves. This theme culminates in a twist-filled narrative that challenges the audience to question the trustworthiness of each character.

🤝

Betrayal

'Clue' explores the theme of betrayal, with each character's hidden agendas leading to deadly consequences. The initial camaraderie quickly dissolves as survival instincts take over, illustrating how hidden motives can fracture relationships. This creates a tense atmosphere where no one can be trusted, culminating in a dramatic showdown.

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