Test your knowledge of Leprechaun with our quiz!

Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of Leprechaun (1993). 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 a bustling Las Vegas pawn shop, a frail old man arrives with a prosthetic leg and hand, pawning a statue adorned with a medallion. He insists that the statue is his cherished good luck charm and warns the shop owner, Gupta, never to touch the medallion. However, curiosity gets the better of Gupta, and he removes it, inadvertently releasing a Leprechaun (Warwick Davis) from his stone confinement. The vengeful Leprechaun leaps onto Gupta’s back, viciously biting off a piece of his ear and chastising him for his greed.

The Leprechaun, brandishing his walking stick, notices Gupta’s leather shoes, removes one, and cheerfully comments on appreciating fine footwear before proceeding to bite off Gupta’s big toe. As Gupta reveals he found the medallion on the Leprechaun’s petrified body, the mischievous creature, fearing his past, retreats to the basement, followed by Gupta who is soon shot in the arm by Cupid’s arrow.

Attempting to broker peace, Gupta offers half of his gold in exchange for his life. But the cunning Leprechaun discards the medallion, knowing it’s a trick. In a twist of fate, Gupta is soon strangled to death by the same phone cord he used to call for help. Meanwhile, college student Scott McCoy arrives in Las Vegas, where he encounters a damsel in distress. He gives her a ride to the Lucky Shamrock Casino, instantly smitten by Tammy.

While indulging in the casino’s gambling activities, Scott loses everything at roulette and ventures to pawn his watch, only to stumble upon Gupta’s lifeless body. Unbeknownst to him, Scott finds the Leprechaun’s coin, granting him a single wish. The coin’s lore states that one wish will come true permanently, and in a sarcastic tone, he wishes for a winning streak.

After leaving the shop, Scott finds immediate fortune at the casino, but the joy is short-lived as he becomes a target of both a robbery and the vengeful Leprechaun. After a brief struggle, he manages to throw the creature out of a hotel window, but sustains a fatal bite, causing him to adopt uncomfortable Leprechaun-like traits, including a tendency to burst into random Irish rhymes.

Meanwhile, Loretta and Fazio, fellow casino employees, along with the casino owner Mitch, pass the wish-granting coin among themselves, making wishes that spiral out of control—Mitch covets intimacy with Tammy, Loretta seeks a new body, and Fazio desires to be the world’s greatest magician.

The vengeful Leprechaun survives and picks off the trespassers one by one. After Mitch’s demise at the hands of a sinister robot resembling Tammy and Loretta’s disastrous consequence of inflated proportions leading to her fatal explosion, the stage is set for a climactic showdown.

Scott and Tammy’s battle against the Leprechaun intensifies as he struggles against his transformation into the very creature he sought to defeat. While seeking medical help at a nearby hospital, Scott succumbs to his voracious Leprechaun urges, culminating in a face-off between him and the Leprechaun.

As the fate of the coin and their lives hangs in the balance, Tammy’s intervention recalls Scott to his senses, preventing the Leprechaun from reclaiming what is rightfully his. Despite the chaos, Scott triumphs by burning the Leprechaun’s gold, liberating himself from the creature’s influence and returning to his human form.

Scott and Tammy finally share a kiss, leaving the chaotic casino together, having narrowly escaped the wrath of the Leprechaun and embracing a brighter future ahead.

Timeline

Track the key events of Leprechaun (1993) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


The Arrival of the Old Man

A frail old man arrives at a bustling Las Vegas pawn shop, presenting a statue with a medallion. He insists that the statue is his cherished good luck charm and warns the shop owner, Gupta, never to touch the medallion.

Las Vegas pawn shop

The Unleashing of the Leprechaun

Curiosity gets the better of Gupta, who removes the medallion from the statue, inadvertently freeing a vengeful Leprechaun. The Leprechaun immediately attacks Gupta, taking a bite out of his ear and chastising him for his greed.

Las Vegas pawn shop

The Leprechaun's Footwear Preference

The Leprechaun examines Gupta's leather shoes and expresses delight by removing one. In a menacing turn, he bites off Gupta's big toe, showcasing his malicious intent and whimsical nature.

Las Vegas pawn shop

Gupta's Desperate Bargain

As Gupta realizes the danger he's in, he attempts to broker peace by offering half of his gold in exchange for his life. However, the cunning Leprechaun sees through this trick and rejects the offer, ultimately leading to Gupta's demise.

Las Vegas pawn shop

Scott McCoy's Arrival

College student Scott McCoy arrives in Las Vegas, soon becoming smitten with a damsel in distress. He gives her a ride to the Lucky Shamrock Casino, setting the stage for his involvement in the unfolding chaos.

Las Vegas

The Encounter with the Pawn Shop

While indulging in gambling activities at the casino, Scott loses his money and decides to pawn his watch. In a shocking turn, he stumbles upon Gupta's lifeless body, unaware of the chaos that led to it.

Las Vegas pawn shop

A Wish Granted

Scott discovers the Leprechaun's wish-granting coin amongst the remains, which lore states will grant him a single permanent wish. In a sarcastic mood, he wishes for a winning streak, unknowingly opening the door to more trouble.

Las Vegas pawn shop

Winning and Woe

After leaving the pawn shop, Scott experiences immediate fortune at the casino as a result of his wish. However, his luck twists into a nightmare as he becomes the target of both a robbery and the wrath of the vengeful Leprechaun.

Lucky Shamrock Casino

Transformation into a Leprechaun

In an intense struggle, Scott manages to throw the Leprechaun out of a hotel window. Unfortunately, he sustains a fatal bite during the encounter, causing him to adopt uncomfortable Leprechaun-like traits and behaviors.

Las Vegas hotel

Wishes Gone Awry

At the casino, Loretta, Fazio, and owner Mitch pass around the wish-granting coin, each making wishes that spiral out of control. Mitch desires intimacy with Tammy, Loretta seeks a new body, and Fazio wishes to become the greatest magician.

Lucky Shamrock Casino

The Leprechaun's Revenge

The Leprechaun survives and begins targeting those who crossed his path, eliminating Mitch through a sinister robot and leading to Loretta's explosive misfortune. The body count rises as the casino employees fall victim to their own wishes.

Lucky Shamrock Casino

The Final Confrontation

As Scott struggles with his Leprechaun transformation, he and Tammy face off against the creature. Desperate for medical help yet battling his voracious Leprechaun urges, Scott must confront the very being he wishes to defeat.

Las Vegas hospital

Tammy to the Rescue

In a moment of clarity, Tammy intervenes just as Scott is about to succumb to the Leprechaun's influence. Her presence brings him back from the brink, preventing the creature from reclaiming his power.

Las Vegas hospital

Burning the Gold

In a climactic twist, Scott decides to burn the Leprechaun's gold, breaking the curse and liberating himself from the creature's influence. This bold move restores his humanity just in time for the final showdown.

Las Vegas hotel

A New Beginning

Having narrowly escaped the chaos and defeating the Leprechaun, Scott and Tammy share a passionate kiss. They leave the tumultuous casino behind, stepping into a brighter future hand in hand.

Las Vegas

Characters

Meet the characters that bring Leprechaun (1993) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Leprechaun (Warwick Davis)

The Leprechaun is a mischievous and vengeful creature determined to reclaim his stolen gold. His playful yet menacing demeanor showcases his cunning personality, often relying on trickery to achieve his goals. His obsession with reclaiming what is his drives the film's conflict.

👹 Villain 💰 Greed

Scott McCoy

Scott McCoy is a college student who becomes entangled with the Leprechaun after discovering a coin that grants wishes. Initially portrayed as a hopeful romantic, his character transforms as he faces the consequences of his wish and the sinister creature's wrath.

👨‍🎓 Student 💔 Love

Tammy

Tammy is a damsel in distress and Scott's love interest, who epitomizes the allure of the casino lifestyle. Her role pushes Scott to act heroically as he navigates the high stakes of both love and survival against the Leprechaun's malice.

👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩 Love Interest 💃 Dancer

Gupta

Gupta is the pawn shop owner whose curiosity leads to the release of the Leprechaun. His initial greed for wealth and possessions results in a tragic end, showcasing the film's theme of the consequences of greed.

🪙 Pawnshop Owner 💸 Greed

Setting

Uncover the settings of Leprechaun (1993), 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

The movie takes place in modern times, during an era where gambling and wealth are prominently featured. This time period emphasizes the recklessness of youth and the alluring nature of quick riches.

Location

Las Vegas, Lucky Shamrock Casino

Las Vegas is known for its vibrant nightlife and casinos, where fortunes can be won or lost in an instant. The Lucky Shamrock Casino serves as a central hub for the film, highlighting the themes of luck and greed that permeate the story.

🎰 Casino 🏙️ City

Themes

Explore the core themes of Leprechaun (1993). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


🍀

Luck

Luck plays a pivotal role in the narrative, driving both characters and their fates. The quest for fortune leads to unforeseen consequences, as characters discover that luck can be a double-edged sword.

💀

Greed

Greed is a central theme as the actions stemming from the desire for wealth lead to tragic outcomes. Characters are consumed by their lust for money, ultimately facing dire repercussions for their avarice.

🧙‍♂️

Transformation

Transformation is depicted both literally and metaphorically through Scott's character. As he grapples with his evolving identity and the physical changes brought on by the Leprechaun's curse, the theme reflects internal struggles and the idea of becoming something one fears.

© 2024 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.