1995
Private investigator Harry D'Amour is drawn into a supernatural mystery when he investigates the murder of fortune teller Caspar Quaid, a former member of a cult led by the powerful William Nix. Harry meets Dorothea Swann, wife of famous illusionist Philip Swann, and learns of her husband's past involvement with Nix's cult, which ended with Nix being buried alive nineteen years prior. During a performance, Philip Swann seemingly dies in a magic trick, but Harry discovers the body in the casket is a fake, revealing Swann faked his death to escape his past. Harry confronts Swann, who is alive and hiding, as Nix's loyal disciple Butterfield seeks to resurrect Nix, leading to a confrontation at Nix's old house.
Save the Cat beat sheet
A washed-up detective Harry D’Amour investigates the gruesome death of a stage magician and unravels a dark cult led by the sorcerer Nix.
Open full beat sheetHarry D'Amour is listed as Protagonist. Private investigator, 35-ish, cynical but drawn to the supernatural. In the parsed data, Harry D'Amour is connected to 18 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
18 scenes / 5 dialogue linesDorothea Swann is listed as Supporting. Philip Swann's beautiful, sensual wife. In the parsed data, Dorothea Swann is connected to 12 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
12 scenes / 2 dialogue linesWilliam Nix is listed as Antagonist. Charismatic, apocalyptic cult leader with supernatural abilities. In the parsed data, William Nix is connected to 8 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
8 scenes / 5 dialogue linesButterfield is listed as Antagonist. Nix's loyal, wild-eyed disciple with mismatched eyes. In the parsed data, Butterfield is connected to 7 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
7 scenes / 4 dialogue linesPhilip Swann is listed as Protagonist. Famous illusionist, former cult member, nineteen years old in 1982. In the parsed data, Philip Swann is connected to 6 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
6 scenes / 4 dialogue linesValentin is listed as Supporting. Swann's precise, elegant assistant. In the parsed data, Valentin is connected to 6 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
6 scenes / 2 dialogue linesMurray Pimm is listed as Supporting. Former cult member, nervous and jittery. In the parsed data, Murray Pimm is connected to 4 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 11.
4 scenes / 1 dialogue linesCaspar Quaid is listed as Supporting. Former cult member, fortune teller, murdered by Nix's followers. In the parsed data, Caspar Quaid is connected to 2 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 5.
2 scenes / 1 dialogue linesJennifer Desiderio is listed as Supporting. Former cult member, mentally unstable, institutionalized. In the parsed data, Jennifer Desiderio is connected to 2 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 19.
2 scenes / 1 dialogue linesRay Miller is listed as Antagonist. Crazed cultist with Nix's sigil tattooed on his forehead. In the parsed data, Ray Miller is connected to 2 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 19.
2 scenes / 1 dialogue linesButterfield guards the entrance to Nix's house as vehicles approach.
ButterfieldNix preaches to his cultists before being interrupted by Butterfield.
William Nix, ButterfieldNix terrorizes a captive girl with his pet baboon.
William Nix, ButterfieldSwann and his group arrive at the house.
Philip Swann, Caspar Quaid, Jennifer Desiderio, Murray PimmHarry discovers a dying Quaid and confronts Butterfield.
Harry D'Amour, Butterfield, Caspar Quaid, Ray MillerHarry meets Dorothea Swann at a mausoleum and they discuss her husband and the murder of Quaid.
Harry D'Amour, Dorothea Swann, ValentinHarry talks to Loomis on the phone while getting ready.
Harry D'AmourHarry arrives at the theatre for Swann's show.
Harry D'AmourHarry meets Dorothea in the audience before the show.
Harry D'Amour, Dorothea SwannSwann performs his illusion, which ends in his death.
Philip Swann, Valentin, Harry D'Amour, Dorothea SwannHarry and Billy examine Nix's files, encounter a spectral apparition, and Harry fires at the projector to banish it.
Harry D'Amour, William NixHarry and Billy part ways after the library incident.
Harry D'Amour, Murray PimmHarry confronts Dorothea about the cult and Swann's past.
Harry D'Amour, Dorothea Swann, ValentinHarry discovers the body in the casket is a fake.
Harry D'Amour, Dorothea Swann, ValentinHarry interrogates Valentin about the fake death.
Harry D'Amour, Dorothea Swann, ValentinA funeral service for Swann is held.
Harry D'Amour, Dorothea SwannButterfield attacks Valentin to find out where Nix is buried.
Butterfield, ValentinHarry confronts Swann, who is revealed to be alive.
Harry D'Amour, Philip SwannNix demonstrates his power by opening a dark pit in the floor, causing the cultists to sink into the ground.
William Nix, Dorothea Swann, Ray Miller, Jennifer Desiderio, Murray PimmButterfield and Swann fight; Swann uses fire to burn Butterfield.
Philip Swann, ButterfieldHarry confronts Nix and attempts to save Dorothea.
William Nix, Philip Swann, Harry D'Amour, Dorothea SwannHarry kills Butterfield and is attacked by Nix.
William Nix, Harry D'Amour, ButterfieldDorothea shoots Nix; Nix transforms into a dark entity.
William Nix, Harry D'Amour, Dorothea SwannSwann and Harry defeat Nix by liquefying the ground.
William Nix, Philip Swann, Harry D'Amour, Dorothea SwannHarry and Dorothea escape as the house is destroyed.
Harry D'Amour, Dorothea SwannI should have been honest with you, right from the start. I wasn't born to show people the error of their ways. I was born to murder the world.
Flesh is a trap. That's what he used to say. Flesh is a trap and magic sets us free.
My friends ... come with me...into the Great Beyond.
You've taken some strange journeys in your life.
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