Inferno Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A music student learns his sister is having tenant troubles with a witch coven in her New York apartment building, so he flies in to tell her to just move out.

🍿 Inferno: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Rose’s Discovery and Initial Investigation

Rose Elliot, a poet living in New York City, discovers a rare book titled ‘The Three Mothers’ which speaks of three evil sisters and the buildings designed to house them. Believing her apartment building to be one of these residences, she begins investigating. Her initial search leads her to a flooded basement where she finds a disturbing portrait and a corpse.

Mark’s Investigation Begins

Rose sends a letter to her brother, Mark, a music student in Rome, detailing her findings and fears. Mark’s friend, Sara, reads the letter and begins her own investigation, quickly becoming a target. After a series of violent events, Mark travels to New York to find his sister, unaware of the danger that awaits him.

The Horrors Unfold in New York

Arriving in New York, Mark learns of his sister’s disappearance and encounters strange residents within the building. As he delves deeper, more bizarre and gruesome deaths occur, revealing the sinister nature of the building and the forces at play. Mark follows clues from Rose’s letter, leading him to discover secret passages and hidden rooms.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Mark Elliot (Leigh McCloskey): A music student in Rome who investigates his sister’s disappearance and the mysteries surrounding the Three Mothers.
• Rose Elliot (Irene Miracle): A poet living in New York who uncovers the secrets of the Three Mothers and is targeted for her knowledge.
• Sara (Eleonora Giorgi): Mark’s friend in Rome who becomes involved in the mystery and meets a gruesome end.
• Elise De Longvalle Adler (Daria Nicolodi): A sickly Countess in New York who aids Mark in his investigation, but ultimately falls victim to the forces of evil.
• Kazanian (Sacha Pitoëff): An antique dealer who sold Rose the book of the Three Mothers and meets a violent end.
• Carol, the caretaker (Alida Valli): The building’s caretaker who falls victim to the chaos surrounding Mater Tenebrarum.
• Mater Tenebrarum (Veronica Lazar): The youngest and cruelest of the Three Mothers, she resides in the New York apartment building and embodies darkness.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Narrator: “The Three Mothers rule the world with sorrow, tears and darkness.” – This quote introduces the overarching theme and the power of the three witches in the trilogy.
• Narrator: “Mater Suspiriorum, the Mother of Sighs, and the oldest of the three, lives in Freiburg. Mater Lachrymarum, the Mother of Tears, and the most beautiful of the sisters, holds rule in Rome. Mater Tenebrarum, the Mother of Darkness, who is the youngest and cruelest of the three, controls New York.” – This narration establishes the locations and characteristics of each of the Three Mothers, setting the stage for the events of the film.
• Kazanian: “There are mysterious parts in that book, but the only true mystery is that our very lives are governed by dead people.” – Kazanian’s quote hints at the deeper, more disturbing themes of the movie regarding the influence of the past and the supernatural on present life.

💰Box Office

• Budget: ITL 3,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $0
• Worldwide Gross: $1,011

💥 Inferno Reviews

Personal Review

Inferno is like stepping into a vivid nightmare. The colors are intense, the music is haunting, and the story, while confusing at times, keeps you on edge. The underwater scene with Rose searching for her keys is beautifully eerie. I remember being genuinely scared and completely mesmerized by the visuals.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Dario Argento”
  • “Lovers of Italian horror”
  • “Viewers who appreciate visual style over plot”
  • “Those interested in supernatural horror”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Gore”
  • “Animal cruelty”
  • “Disturbing imagery”

Professional Reviews

• Bloody Disgusting: “Argento’s follow-up to *Suspiria* is a visually stunning nightmare. While the plot may seem incoherent at times, the film’s atmosphere and surreal set pieces more than make up for it. A must-see for fans of Italian horror.
• The Playlist: “Inferno abandons narrative coherence in favor of pure cinematic experience. Argento crafts a visually arresting world filled with dread and terror. The film’s dreamlike quality makes it a unique and unforgettable entry in the horror genre.
• AllMovie: “Though the plot may be confusing to some, Inferno is a visual feast of color and set design, making it a must-see for fans of Italian horror. Keith Emerson’s score adds to the surreal and nightmarish atmosphere.

Audience Reactions

Viewers praise Argento’s masterful use of color and lighting to create a surreal and terrifying atmosphere.: The film’s visual style and set design are widely considered its strongest points, overshadowing any plot inconsistencies.

Keith Emerson’s soundtrack is often cited as a highlight, complementing the film’s Gothic horror atmosphere.: Many find the music to be just as captivating and unsettling as the visuals.

Overall Consensus: Inferno is a visually stunning horror film that prioritizes atmosphere over narrative coherence. Its surreal and nightmarish qualities make it a cult classic, although its plot may be confusing for some viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Dario Argento used his own hands for the gloved killer shots in the film.”
• “Mario Bava, the legendary Italian horror director, contributed to the special effects, particularly the underwater sequences, in what would be his final film work before his death.”
• “The film’s score was composed by Keith Emerson, known for his work with the progressive rock band Emerson, Lake & Palmer, providing a different musical atmosphere compared to Goblin’s score in ‘Suspiria’.”

🖥️ How to Watch Inferno?

Inferno is available for purchase or rental on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. Check local listings for potential streaming options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Inferno, you might like these similar films:

• Suspiria (1977): As the first film in the ‘Three Mothers’ trilogy, it shares the same thematic elements of witchcraft and stylish, gory horror.
• The Sentinel (1977): Shares a similar plot device of a building being a gate for hell.
• Rosemary’s Baby (1968): The classic horror film explores themes of paranoia, occult conspiracies, and a woman trapped in a sinister apartment building.

🛒 Inferno Related Products

• Inferno (Limited Edition Blu-ray): A stunning restoration of Dario Argento’s classic horror film. This limited edition includes exclusive artwork, making-of documentaries, and interviews with the cast and crew.
• Inferno: The Three Mothers Trilogy (Graphic Novel): A dark and twisted graphic novel adaptation of the Three Mothers trilogy. Dive deeper into the lore and experience the horror in a new, visually striking format.
• Dario Argento Collection (DVD Set): A comprehensive collection of Dario Argento’s best works, including Inferno, Suspiria, and Tenebrae. This set features rare interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and director’s commentaries.
• Inferno – Movie Poster (Art Print): A high-quality art print of the original Inferno movie poster. Perfect for framing and displaying your love for classic Italian horror.

🎧 Soundtrack

Inferno features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Inferno (Main Theme)” – performed by Keith Emerson
• “Mater Tenebrarum” – performed by Keith Emerson
• “Va’, pensiero (from Nabucco)” – performed by Giuseppe Verdi

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

What is Dante’s Inferno? | Overview & Summary!

Ever wondered what all the fuss is about Dante’s Inferno in the movie? This video breaks down the nine circles of Hell in a way that’s actually easy to understand! Seriously, it makes the movie way more interesting once you know the background.

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