Family ties, a vanished monkey, and a lifetime of resentment simmer in this psychological horror.
THE ATTIC
13 steps to TERROR!
A librarian devotes her life to caring for her wheelchair-bound tyrannical father after being stood up at altar. She fantasizes his death and finds joy only with her pet monkey. When the monkey disappears, a shocking past is revealed.
The Attic is a 1980 United States horror film directed by Gary Graver and George Edwards about a librarian trapped caring for her domineering, wheelchair-bound father, whose life unravels after her beloved pet monkey disappears.
- Directors
- Gary Graver, George Edwards
- Writers
- Tony Crechales, George Edwards
- Release
- 1980
- Runtime
- 1h 41m
- Country
- United States of America
- Language
- English
- Genres
- Horror
- Also Known As
- 13 Stufen zum Terror (1980), 13 Stufen zum Terror
Why Cult
The film centers on a librarian whose grim home life and desperate fantasies put a new spin on the horror of everyday caretaking.
Ray Milland delivers as the wheelchair-bound, tyrannical father—making family dinner a horror show in its own right.
When the protagonist’s only friend, a pet monkey, goes missing, the film spirals into psychological territory few horror movies dare explore.
Beneath the attic’s dusty memories lies a twist that reframes every tense moment leading up to the climax.
Themes & Keywords
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Attic about? +
The Attic follows a librarian whose life is consumed by caring for her oppressive, wheelchair-bound father, only to unravel when her pet monkey disappears and a dark secret comes to light.
Who directed The Attic? +
The Attic was directed by Gary Graver and George Edwards.
How long is The Attic? +
The Attic has a runtime of 101 minutes.
What genre is The Attic? +
The Attic is a horror film.
When was The Attic released? +
The Attic was released in 1980.