Intrigue

A rich, mentally unstable man with a penchant for playing deadly S&M games with women who resemble his late wife sparks off a chain of bizarre events after getting remarried.

A wealthy English lord is suffering a mental breakdown following the death of his red-headed wife Evelyn, whom he feared was cheating on him. He scours local bars and dives for lovely redheads willing to come to his decaying castle in the country, where he seduces them, then tortures and kills them. His friend the doctor talks him into remarrying to help heal his slowly-rotting mind, which he does--but are the doctor's orders what he really needs?—EllenRipley112

Lord Alan Victor Cunningham lives in tormented isolation within his sprawling gothic estate, haunted by memories of his deceased wife Evelyn, a beautiful redhead whose infidelity drove him to the brink of madness. Recently released from a mental institution where he was treated for his psychological breakdown, Alan has developed a disturbing compulsion to seek out red-haired women who remind him of his late wife. Alan begins frequenting seedy London nightclubs and strip joints, methodically searching for women who bear physical resemblance to Evelyn. His hunting grounds include dimly lit bars where he poses as a wealthy gentleman seeking companionship. When he encounters suitable candidates, he lures them back to his estate with promises of luxury and adventure. Once there, he leads them to the castle's dungeon-like chambers where medieval torture devices still line the walls. His victims become unwilling participants in elaborately staged scenarios that allow Alan to reenact his fantasies of punishing Evelyn for her betrayal. The women, initially attracted by his wealth and aristocratic charm, soon discover the horrifying truth about their host's intentions. These sequences blend psychological torment with physical violence as Alan subjects each woman to increasingly sadistic games before ultimately murdering them. Meanwhile, Alan's cousin George and Dr. Timberlane, his former psychiatrist, worry about his deteriorating mental state. They encourage him to consider remarriage as a path toward psychological healing. During one of his nocturnal prowls, Alan encounters Gladys, a striking blonde woman who works as a stripper. Unlike his previous victims, Gladys possesses a calculating intelligence that matches Alan's own manipulative nature. Their courtship develops rapidly, with Gladys demonstrating remarkable adaptability to Alan's eccentric lifestyle and the gothic atmosphere of his estate. She appears genuinely attracted to both his wealth and his dangerous unpredictability. After a whirlwind romance, Alan and Gladys marry in a ceremony attended by his small circle of friends and relatives. Initially, the marriage seems to stabilize Alan's psychological condition. Gladys proves adept at managing his moods and redirecting his violent impulses into more conventional channels. However, strange incidents begin occurring throughout the castle shortly after their wedding. Mysterious sounds echo through the corridors at night, objects move without explanation, and both Alan and Gladys experience unsettling encounters with what appears to be Evelyn's ghostly presence. These supernatural manifestations escalate in both frequency and intensity. Evelyn's spirit seems particularly focused on tormenting Gladys, appearing in mirrors, manipulating household objects, and creating an atmosphere of mounting dread. Alan, already psychologically fragile, begins questioning his own sanity as the haunting phenomena intensify. The castle staff, long accustomed to their master's eccentricities, grow increasingly nervous about the supernatural activity. As the ghostly encounters continue, family tensions emerge. George becomes suspicious of Gladys's motives, sensing something calculated about her devotion to his unstable cousin. Dr. Timberlane returns to evaluate Alan's condition, concerned that the apparent supernatural events might trigger another complete psychological collapse. The climax reveals the truth behind the haunting: Gladys has been orchestrating the entire supernatural charade in collaboration with her secret lover, who has been posing as Evelyn's ghost. Their elaborate deception was designed to drive Alan completely insane, ensuring Gladys would inherit his vast fortune as his widow. The "ghostly" appearances were carefully staged using hidden passages within the castle's ancient walls and various technical tricks to create the illusion of supernatural activity. However, their scheme ultimately backfires when Alan discovers their betrayal. In a final confrontation that mirrors his earlier violent episodes, Alan's rage erupts with murderous intensity. The film concludes with justice served in characteristically bloody fashion, as the manipulative conspirators face consequences for their elaborate deception. The gothic atmosphere that permeated the entire story provides a fittingly dark backdrop for the final revelations, leaving the ancient castle once again shrouded in its customary atmosphere of decay and death.