Black Souls 2015

Drama

Box Office

$1.3M

Runtime

103 min

Language

Italian

Directed by

Francesco Munzi

Made by

Vitagraph Films

Test your knowledge of Black Souls with our quiz!

Black Souls Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Black Souls (2015). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Luigi, a key figure in the Calabrian ‘Ndrangheta and a notorious international drug dealer, is deeply intertwined with influential South American crime organizations. His older brother Rocco, who resides in Milan with his wife Valeria and their daughter, disapproves of Luigi’s criminal lifestyle and has opted for a more conventional career in construction. Meanwhile, their eldest brother, Luciano, strives to live a simple life in Calabria, tending to his goats in the mountains, hoping to remain detached from his siblings’ illicit ventures.

Tensions escalate when Leo, Luciano’s young and embittered son, retaliates against an insult by shooting at a bar that is under the protection of a rival ‘Ndrangheta clan—one that is already incensed by Luigi’s refusal to trade with them. The animosity between these families runs deep; Luigi has a personal vendetta against their boss, who was responsible for his father’s death many years ago.

As the rival clan demands that Luigi provide them with drugs, he decides to return to his hometown to confront them, aiming to bolster his alliances with other crime families first. However, before he can execute his plan, Luigi is murdered in the street. Rocco, who arrives from Milan, is filled with a burning desire for revenge but is first determined to ascertain whether his family stands alone or has the backing of other crime syndicates.

In stark contrast, Leo, feeling a profound sense of loyalty to his late uncle Luigi, believes he must take matters into his own hands. He devises a plan to assassinate the rival boss but is ultimately betrayed by one of his accomplices, leading to his own death. This betrayal sends shockwaves through all involved, particularly affecting his father Luciano. In a moment of deep despair, Luciano, having just burned pictures of his father who had fallen victim to the clan’s violence years earlier, returns home and kills Rocco. It appears he is now contemplating suicide, contemplating the tragic extinction of his family line and the cycle of violence that has plagued them.

Black Souls Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Black Souls (2015) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Luigi's Criminal Empire

Luigi has established himself as a prominent figure in the Calabrian 'Ndrangheta and has built strong ties with several influential South American drug organizations. His lifestyle and choices stand in stark contrast to those of his siblings, creating a rift within the family.

Calabria

Rocco's Conventional Life

Rocco, Luigi's older brother, has chosen a life of legality and stability in Milan, working in construction. He often reflects on his brother’s choices and worries about the consequences for their family.

Milan

Luciano's Simple Existence

Luciano, the eldest sibling, lives a humble life in the mountains of Calabria, tending to his goats. He aims to distance himself from the violent world of his brothers and dreams of a peaceful existence, far from crime.

Calabria

Leo's Retaliation

The tensions within the family escalate when Leo, Luciano's son, retaliates against an insult by shooting at a bar tied to a rival 'Ndrangheta clan. This reckless act ignites the already simmering animosities between the two families.

Local Bar

Luigi's Vendetta

Luigi, fueled by a personal vendetta against the rival clan's boss, plots to confront them. The rivalry is deeply rooted in the tragic past of the families, particularly Luigi’s unresolved grief over his father's murder.

Return to Hometown

In response to escalating demands from the rival clan, Luigi decides to return to his hometown. He believes this trip will solidify his alliances with other crime families before confronting his enemies head-on.

Hometown

Luigi's Assassination

Tragically, before Luigi can execute his plans for revenge, he is murdered in the street. This shocking event sends ripples through the underworld and his family, leaving them in turmoil.

Rocco's Despair

Rocco arrives from Milan, burdened by grief and a burning desire for revenge against his brother's killers. He grapples with feelings of helplessness as he seeks to determine if his family has support from other criminal organizations.

Leo's Dark Path

Feeling a strong sense of loyalty to his uncle Luigi, Leo resolves to take revenge on the rival clan’s boss. Driven by emotion and youth, he concocts a plan to eliminate the threat but underestimates the danger of his situation.

Betrayal and Death

Leo's ambitious plan ultimately backfires when he is betrayed by one of his accomplices, resulting in his own death. This betrayal not only shatters his family's hopes for vengeance but also deepens the cycle of violence they inhabit.

Luciano's Grief

In the wake of his son's tragic demise, Luciano is engulfed in grief and realizations of his family's long-standing suffering. As he grieves, he contemplates the cyclical nature of violence that has marked their family history.

Rocco's Death

Overwhelmed by despair and fury, Luciano, in a moment of desperation, takes Rocco's life. In this tragic turn, the family's ties are further severed, leaving behind a haunting legacy of loss and violence.

Contemplation of Suicide

After the devastating losses, Luciano finds himself contemplating suicide, reflecting on the tragic extinction of his family line. Struggling with grief and despair, he sees no escape from the repeated violence that has claimed them.

Black Souls Characters

Explore all characters from Black Souls (2015). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Luigi

Luigi is a key figure in the Calabrian 'Ndrangheta, serving as a notorious drug dealer. His choices drag his family into a treacherous world filled with violence and vendettas. Despite his charisma, his life is marked by danger and conflict, ultimately leading to his tragic demise.

💼 Crime Boss 🔥 Ambitious

Rocco

Rocco chooses a conventional lifestyle but finds himself pulled back into the chaos when his brother is murdered. His protective nature and desire for revenge portray the internal conflict of a man torn between familial love and moral standing. Rocco’s journey highlights the complexity of loyalty within a violent legacy.

👷‍♂️ Builder 😠 Avenger

Luciano

Luciano strives to lead a simple life in the mountains, distancing himself from his family's criminal dealings. His character is marked by resilience and a profound sense of loss, especially after the deaths of his family members. The film culminates in his tragic actions, driven by despair and a wish to end the cycle of violence.

🐐 Goatherd 🥺 Despairing Father

Leo

Leo, the young son of Luciano, is portrayed as embittered and impulsive. His loyalty to his late uncle leads him down a dark path of revenge. Leo's motivation and subsequent betrayal highlight the dangerous allure of the criminal world and the tragic consequences that follow.

💔 Grieving Nephew ⚔️ Vengeful Youth

Black Souls Settings

Learn where and when Black Souls (2015) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

The film showcases contemporary issues related to organized crime, drug trafficking, and family loyalty in modern society. It illustrates a world where traditional values clash with the violent realities of gang life, reflecting ongoing societal struggles.

Location

Calabria, Milan, South America

The movie takes place in Calabria, a region in southern Italy known for its beautiful landscapes and deep-rooted mafia culture. Milan, a bustling metropolitan city, represents a contrasting lifestyle with its urban construction environment. South America serves as a significant backdrop for international drug trade connections, emphasizing the global reach of crime organizations.

🌍 Locations ⚖️ Crime

Black Souls Themes

Discover the main themes in Black Souls (2015). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

🩸

Family Betrayal

The theme of family betrayal runs deep throughout the film, as loyalty and revenge propel the characters into a cycle of violence. As each brother navigates their respective paths, the bonds of blood are tested by criminal involvement and personal vendettas. The tragic end reinforces the idea that the quest for loyalty can lead to devastating consequences.

💔

Cycle of Violence

The narrative grapples with the cycle of violence that defines the lives of the family members. Each action and reaction leads to further conflict, illustrating how past traumas influence present decisions. This relentless cycle ultimately threatens to extinguish the family lineage, leaving a profound impact on the surviving members.

🔫

Revenge

Revenge is a central theme, driving characters to commit irreversible acts in the name of honor and loyalty. The characters are engulfed by their thirst for vengeance, showcasing how this desire complicates relationships and leads to tragic consequences. It raises questions about morality and the cost of retribution in a violent world.

Black Souls Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of Black Souls (2015). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.

In the rugged heart of Calabria, where the mountains loom over ancient villages and the sea whispers of forgotten trades, the Carbone family has long balanced the pull of tradition with the shadow of the underworld. Three brothers—Luigi, Rocco, and Luciano—are bound by blood and the weight of a legacy that stretches from the crag‑covered peaks to the bustling streets of Milan. Their world is one of stark contrasts: the quiet, goat‑tended pastures of the south clash with the sleek, modern corridors of international commerce, creating a backdrop of both beauty and menace.

Luigi is the most outward‑looking of the siblings, a man whose ambitions have taken him far beyond the confines of his hometown. His connections reach across continents, weaving the Carbone name into a network that hums with secrecy and power. Rocco, who has made a home in Milan with his wife and daughter, carries the uneasy peace of a man who prefers solid foundations—construction, family, routine—over the chaotic allure of his brother’s empire. In stark opposition, Luciano remains rooted in the remote mountains, tending his goats and clinging to the simple rhythms of a life that feels untouched by the currents pulling his brothers elsewhere.

The fragile equilibrium shatters when the youngest generation, represented by the impulsive Leo, inadvertently ignites a dormant feud with a rival clan that has long eyed the Carbone influence. This catalytic moment forces the brothers to confront a conflict that is as much about personal loyalty as it is about the unrelenting cycle of vengeance that has haunted their lineage. The tension crackles, hinting at choices that could either bind the family tighter or tear it apart.

Against this backdrop of rugged landscapes, urban ambition, and inherited grudges, Black Souls invites viewers into a world where honor and blood are inseparable, and where every decision reverberates across generations. The film’s tone is brooding and atmospheric, painting a portrait of a family caught between the pull of the past and the relentless drive of forces beyond their control.

Movies with Similar Twists and Themes

Uncover films that echo the narrative beats, emotional arcs, or dramatic twists of the one you're exploring. These recommendations are handpicked based on story depth, thematic resonance, and spoiler-worthy moments — perfect for fans who crave more of the same intrigue.