🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Jaume Balagueró
- Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
- Release year: 2018
- Runtime (length): 1h 47min
- IMDb rating: 5.4/10 (7,600 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 18%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A literature professor’s nightmares about murder turn out to be real, leading him down a rabbit hole of mean, ancient muses who apparently really hate bad poetry.
🍿 Muse: Detailed Plot Synopsis
A Professor Haunted by Nightmares
English literature professor Samuel Solomon is struggling after the tragic death of his girlfriend. Plagued by recurring nightmares, he envisions a woman being brutally murdered through a strange ritual. His life takes a dark turn when news reports reveal a real murder matching the grim details of his dream.

Investigating the Mysterious Murder
Compelled by the eerie connection between his dream and reality, Samuel sneaks into the crime scene. There, he encounters Rachel, a young woman who claims to have experienced the exact same terrifying nightmare. Together, they decide to investigate the mystery behind the murdered woman and the disturbing visions they share.

Discovering a World of Myth and Muses
As Samuel and Rachel delve deeper, their investigation uncovers a hidden, macabre world connected to ancient myths and superstitions. They learn about a coven of seven powerful, malevolent women believed to be the Muses, figures who have historically inspired artists but are revealed here as cruel supernatural entities influencing human affairs.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Samuel Solomon (Elliot Cowan): A grieving literature professor haunted by nightmares that lead him to investigate a series of mysterious murders connected to ancient myths.
- Rachel (Ana Ularu): A young woman who shares Samuel’s nightmares and joins him in uncovering the truth behind the supernatural occurrences.
- Susan Gilard (Franka Potente): Samuel’s supportive colleague and friend who helps him research the strange events he is experiencing.
- Bernard Rauschen (Christopher Lloyd): A mysterious elderly man who provides Samuel and Rachel with crucial information about the true nature of the Muses.
- Beatriz (Manuela Vellés): Samuel’s former student and girlfriend whose tragic suicide triggers his recurring nightmares and the start of his investigation.
- Lidia Garetti (Leonor Watling): The woman brutally murdered in Samuel’s nightmares whose real-life death sets Samuel and Rachel on their dangerous path.
💬 Memorable Quotes
💰Box Office
- Budget: €5,000,000
- Domestic Gross: None
- Worldwide Gross: $1,346,352
💥 Muse Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I watched Muse, and honestly, I was hooked by the weirdness right from the start. The idea of the Muses being these creepy, ancient entities messing with people through art is just *chef’s kiss*. I felt genuinely uneasy during some of the dream sequences and when they started uncovering the conspiracy. It wasn’t jump-scare horror, more of a slow, building dread that really worked for me. Yeah, the story gets a bit complicated, and I wasn’t always sure exactly what was going on, but the atmosphere and the performances kept me glued to the screen. I loved how visually rich it was; it really felt like stepping into a dark fairy tale. Definitely a solid supernatural thriller if you’re into something a little different and moody.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of supernatural thrillers and mystery films”
- “Viewers interested in dark fantasy or mythological retellings”
- “Those who appreciate atmospheric and visually driven cinema”
- “Followers of director Jaume Balagueró’s previous work”
- “Audiences looking for a film with complex, twisty plots”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Contains scenes of ritualistic murder and violence”
- “Depicts suicide”
- “Features disturbing or grisly imagery”
- “Includes mature themes related to death and madness”
Professional Reviews
- Genre Weekly: “Jaume Balagueró’s ‘Muse’ crafts a genuinely eerie atmosphere, leaning into its unique premise about vengeful mythical figures. The visuals are strong, particularly the moody locations, and the lead performances are compelling, anchoring the supernatural mystery. While the plot sometimes feels a bit dense or underdeveloped in its mythology, the film successfully builds suspense and offers several chilling sequences. It’s more of a dark thriller than outright horror, relying on mood and psychological dread over jump scares, making for an intriguing, albeit imperfect, watch.
- Film Buff Blog: “‘Muse’ delivers on atmosphere and has a truly fascinating concept at its core – ancient muses as malevolent forces manipulating artists. The film looks great, showcasing some memorable, unsettling imagery. However, the pacing can be quite slow in the middle act, and the complex mythology isn’t always clearly articulated, potentially leaving some viewers feeling a bit lost. Despite its flaws, the commitment of the cast, including a brief but notable turn from Christopher Lloyd, keeps you invested in this dark, poetic mystery.
Audience Reactions
Many viewers appreciated the unique and creative take on the Muses.: The film’s atmosphere, cinematography, and acting were frequently praised by audiences.
Some found the mysterious plot intriguing and suspenseful.: Common criticisms included the slow pacing and a plot that felt confusing or underdeveloped at times.
Overall Consensus: A visually striking and atmospheric supernatural thriller with a unique premise, though opinions are mixed on its pacing and narrative clarity.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Christopher Lloyd’s character, Bernard Rauschen, is mentioned as having started teaching in Brown. This is a likely nod to his most famous character, Dr. Emmett Brown, from the Back to the Future franchise.”
- “The film is an international co-production involving Spain, Ireland, Belgium, and France.”
- “Filming took place in Spain, specifically in Torrebonica, Barcelona.”
- “The film had an estimated budget of €5,000,000.”
🖥️ How to Watch Muse?
As of late 2023, ‘Muse’ (2017) is generally not available on major subscription streaming services. You can find it for digital purchase or rent on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies & TV. Check these platforms for current availability and pricing options to watch ‘Muse’ online.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Muse, you might like these similar films:
- Spellbinder (1988): Mentioned by a reviewer as having a similar style and appeal, featuring a blend of supernatural elements and mystery.
- Suspiria (1977): Often considered part of Dario Argento’s ‘Three Mothers’ trilogy, this film deals with a coven of powerful, ancient witches operating in secret, thematically similar to the Muses in ‘Muse’.
- The Ninth Gate (1999): Features a protagonist investigating a mysterious, possibly supernatural book and secret society, leading him into a dangerous hidden world, much like the professor in ‘Muse’ researching the Muses.
- In the Mouth of Madness (1994): Involves a character drawn into a horrifying reality based on a writer’s work, blurring the lines between fiction, nightmares, and reality, resonating with the themes of literature and nightmares in ‘Muse’.
- Mandy (2018): While different in tone, it involves supernatural cults and a protagonist seeking vengeance/understanding in a stylized, macabre world, appealing to fans of dark fantasy and thriller elements.
🛒 Muse Related Products
- Mythos: The Greek Myths Retold: Stephen Fry’s engaging and witty retelling of classic Greek myths. A perfect companion to explore the origins of figures like the Muses.
- Dark Academia Aesthetic Journal: A high-quality, vintage-style journal or notebook. Perfect for jotting down unsettling dreams, mysterious clues, or perhaps attempting some poetry…
- Collector’s Edition Blu-ray: Muse: Own the film in high definition with potential bonus features exploring the mythology, production design, or special effects.
- Interactive Mystery Game: ‘The Poet’s Curse’: A digital escape room or narrative mystery game inspired by the film’s blend of literary puzzles and supernatural horror. Solve cryptic clues left by a tormented writer.
🎧 Soundtrack
Muse features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “The Nightmare Unfurls” – performed by Stephen Rennicks
- “Echoes in the Stone House” – performed by Stephen Rennicks
- “Words of the Seventh” – performed by Stephen Rennicks
- “Ritual Incantation” – performed by Stephen Rennicks
- “Beneath the Shadow of Inspiration” – performed by Stephen Rennicks
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
‘Muse’ (2017) is not typically available on subscription streaming services. You can rent or buy it digitally on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies & TV.
While marketed as horror, many viewers and critics describe ‘Muse’ (2017) as more of a supernatural thriller, mystery, or dark fantasy film. It contains eerie and violent scenes but focuses more on atmosphere, plot twists, and a complex mythology rather than typical jump scares or slasher elements.
The movie follows Samuel Solomon, a literature professor haunted by recurring nightmares of a woman’s ritualistic murder. When the dream aligns with a real-life killing, he teams up with a woman who shares his vision to uncover the dark secret behind the crime, leading them into a world governed by malevolent supernatural entities known as the Muses.
Yes, veteran actor Christopher Lloyd has a brief but memorable supporting role in ‘Muse’ (2017) as Bernard Rauschen. A trivia note mentions a potential nod to his famous ‘Back to the Future’ character.
‘Muse’ (2017) was directed by Jaume Balagueró, a Spanish filmmaker known for horror films such as ‘REC’, ‘Sleep Tight’, and ‘Darkness’.
🔥 Bonus Content
Supermassive Black Hole – Muse [ Twilight ] [ HQ ]
Remember that iconic baseball scene in Twilight? It wouldn’t be the same without this totally epic Muse track pumping in the background! Seriously, hearing this always gets me energized.
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