Sssssss 1973
Directed by
Bernard L. Kowalski
Plot Summary
Dr. Carl Stoner, a dedicated herpetologist with an obsession for the secrets of reptiles, discreetly sells a mysterious creature to a carnival owner, keeping the deal cloaked in secrecy. He then enlists college student David Blake as his assistant, claiming that a former colleague is unavailable due to a family emergency. However, David and others remain unaware of Stoner’s increasingly delusional state of mind, which leads him to indulge in fantastical thoughts.
Stoner begins administering injections to David, which he claims are meant to protect him from snake bites within their laboratory, but a darker purpose lies beneath the surface. As the treatment continues, David starts to experience an alarming metamorphosis; his skin begins to distill away its humanity, reminiscent of the shedding of snakeskin. His dreams are plagued with terrifying nightmares, and his physical condition deteriorates rapidly, much to Stoner’s dismissal, which he attributes to venom effects.
Amidst this chaos, David finds romance with Kristina, Stoner’s daughter, even as her father strongly warns her against any intimate involvement. Unbeknownst to them, David’s transformation takes a darker turn as his skin acquires a greenish, scaly texture. The injections seem to consume his identity, with Stoner justifying his actions as protective measures.
One night, David awakens to a horrifying reality—his own reflection has become alien. In a fit of terror, he screams, and as he stumbles through the lab, Stoner administers another injection just as Dr. Daniels arrives, suspicion clouding his demeanor. Stoner quickly hides David in a corner, but fueled by primal instincts, David pushes himself to a window, revealing his grotesque form to Daniels. In a desperate act, Stoner knocks Dr. Daniels unconscious and tragically feeds him to a python.
As the chaos escalates, Kristina becomes frantic when she stumbles upon a freak show featuring a “snake-man” strikingly similar to Stoner’s former assistant. Horrified and driven by a sense of urgency, she rushes back home, determined to rescue David from the horrifying changes he is undergoing. Meanwhile, Stoner meets his own demise as he succumbs to the venom of a live king cobra found in their lab, while David’s transformation reaches its unsettling climax.
Kristina returns only to find her father lifeless, with the very snake coiling ominously beside him. Understanding that something is gravely amiss, she races to alert the police. Their timely arrival sees them shooting the serpent just as they approach the lab, where a mongoose attacks David, attempting to deliver a lethal bite. The officers hesitate, unsure how to act, while Kristina cries out in desperation for David. The film culminates in an abrupt ending, leaving the fates of Kristina and David shrouded in darkness and mystery, inviting viewers to ponder the sinister consequences of obsession and transformation.
Timeline
Dr. Stoner's Secret Deal
Dr. Carl Stoner, a herpetologist obsessed with reptiles, makes a clandestine sale of a mysterious creature to a carnival owner. This deal is shrouded in secrecy, highlighting Stoner's hidden motives and obsession.
Enlisting David Blake
Stoner recruits college student David Blake as an assistant under the pretense that his former colleague is unavailable due to an emergency. This seemingly innocent arrangement uncovers a dark path as Stoner's mind unravels.
The Injections Begin
Stoner starts giving David injections, claiming they are safeguards against snake bites in their lab. Unknown to David, these injections are part of Stoner's twisted experiment, revealing the depths of Stoner's delusion.
David's Metamorphosis
David begins to undergo a horrifying transformation as his skin starts to resemble that of a snake, losing its humanity. His physical and mental health decline rapidly, but Stoner dismisses it as side effects from the venom.
Romance with Kristina
Despite Stoner's warnings, David develops a romantic relationship with Kristina, his assistant's daughter. Their bond grows deeper even as external dangers loom, complicating the already chaotic situation.
Skin Transformation
As David continues to receive injections, his skin turns a disturbing greenish hue, resembling scales. This alarming change signifies his losing battle against the transformation orchestrated by Stoner's harmful treatment.
The Horrifying Reflection
One night, David awakens to a shocking realization: his reflection is monstrous and alien. In panic, he screams, and Stoner quickly intervenes, administering another injection to control the chaos.
Dr. Daniels' Arrival
Dr. Daniels arrives at the lab, suspicious of Stoner’s activities. Stoner's desperate attempt to hide David leads to a violent confrontation when David reveals his grotesque appearance, escalating the tension.
The Deadly Encounter
In a frantic act to cover his crimes, Stoner attacks Dr. Daniels, knocking him unconscious before feeding him to a python. This shocking moment exemplifies the lengths Stoner will go to protect his twisted experiment.
Kristina's Discovery
Kristina encounters a freak show featuring a 'snake-man' who bears a chilling resemblance to David. Overcome with horror, she rushes home, desperate to save her beloved from his disturbing fate.
Stoner's Demise
Tragically, Stoner meets his end as he is bitten by a live king cobra in the lab. This act of poetic justice underscores the consequences of his reckless obsession with reptiles and his cruelty towards David.
Rushing to Alert the Police
Upon finding her father dead with the snake coiled nearby, Kristina immediately seeks to alert the authorities. This sense of urgency builds as the realization dawns that something is terribly wrong.
The Police Arrive
The police arrive just in time to confront the unfolding chaos, shooting the serpent that threatens the lab. In the midst of this, David is attacked by a mongoose, adding another layer of danger.
A Desperate Plea
As the officers hesitate on how to deal with the escalating situation, Kristina calls out for David in desperation. This moment of emotional turmoil encapsulates the tragic climax of their journey.
Abrupt Ending
The film concludes abruptly, leaving the fates of Kristina and David uncertain and shrouded in mystery. This open-ended finale invites viewers to ponder the devastating consequences of obsession and transformation.
Characters
Dr. Carl Stoner
Dr. Carl Stoner is a dedicated but increasingly deranged herpetologist whose obsession with reptiles drives him to criminal acts. His manipulative and delusional nature allows him to justify the harm he causes to David, showcasing a dangerous mix of intelligence and madness. Stoner's ultimate downfall serves as a grim reminder of the cost of unchecked obsession.
David Blake
David Blake starts as an unsuspecting college student but quickly becomes a victim of Dr. Stoner's nefarious plans. His transformation is both physical and emotional, as he struggles with his rapidly deteriorating identity and growing fears. David's relationship with Kristina adds depth to his character, highlighting his tragic descent.
Kristina Stoner
Kristina is torn between her father's obsession and her developing feelings for David. Her character embodies innocence threatened by the chaos unleashed by her father's dark pursuits. Ultimately, she is a beacon of urgency and hope in David's disintegrating world, showcasing loyalty amidst horror.
Setting
Time period
The film captures a modern yet timeless era, focusing on the ominous implications of scientific obsession and the unforeseen consequences of playing god. It reflects a period where experimentation with natural creatures could easily blur the lines between reality and madness, leading to terrifying transformations.
Location
Laboratory, Carnival
The laboratory serves as a twisted sanctuary for Dr. Carl Stoner's herpetological experiments, shrouded in secrecy and sinister intentions. The nearby carnival, a place of entertainment, contrasts with the dark events unfolding, featuring freak shows that hint at the eerie transformations occurring under Stoner's watch. Together, these locations create an unsettling backdrop that amplifies the horror of the film.
Themes
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Obsession
Obsession drives Dr. Stoner to dangerous extremes, as his fixation with reptiles clouds his judgment and morality. His careless experiments lead to David's horrific metamorphosis, illustrating how obsession can distort one's perception of reality and morality. This theme resonates throughout the narrative, revealing the dark paths one may tread when consumed by singular passions.
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Transformation
Transformation takes center stage as David undergoes an alarming physical and psychological change, shedding his humanity as he devolves into a snake-like creature. This metamorphosis serves as a metaphor for the dehumanizing effects of manipulation and greed. The horror of losing one's identity resonates deeply, leaving a haunting impression on the audience.
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