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Cross of the Seven Jewels (1987) Plot Summary & Timeline

Cross of the Seven Jewels (1987) movie poster

Cross of the Seven Jewels is a 1987 horror film, running 1 hour 28 minutes. This page retells the whole story in 407 words (about 2 minutes to read) and covers 15 key events in order, 6 characters, where and when it is set and 2 themes. Looking for the cast, ratings and where to stream it? See the movie page for Cross of the Seven Jewels.

to read the plot summary
2 min
key events in the timeline
15
characters profiled
6
themes explained
2
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Cross of the Seven Jewels (1987) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 28m
Genre
Horror
Original language
Italian
No spoilers

What Is Cross of the Seven Jewels About?

The premise of Cross of the Seven Jewels in 304 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.

In a world where ancient rites linger beneath the neon glow of modern streets, a hidden black‑magic society watches the fragile line between humanity and the beastly unknown. Their curse is both elegant and brutal: a relentless nightly metamorphosis that can only be restrained by a singular, jeweled necklace. The film shrouds its narrative in a blend of mystery, romance, and horror, inviting the audience to feel the pulse of dread that follows every twilight hour.

​Marco is an unassuming bank employee whose life has been marked by routine and quiet ambition. A trip to the south of Italy pulls him into a labyrinth of forgotten rituals and whispered warnings, forcing him to confront a lineage he never imagined. Along the way, he encounters people whose lives intersect with his in ways that suggest both affection and danger, hinting at connections that may become crucial as the darkness closes in.

The setting drifts between the bustling, sun‑kissed avenues of Rome and the shadowed alleys of Naples, each location a character in its own right. Urban vibrancy clashes with the lingering presence of occult gatherings, creating a backdrop where everyday encounters feel charged with unseen significance. The cinematography leans into chiaroscuro, letting light and shadow play out the internal struggle of a man caught between his ordinary existence and a primal curse.

At its core, the story follows Marco as he wrestles with an inheritance that threatens to strip away his humanity each night. The necklace becomes more than a talisman; it is a fragile anchor tying him to the people he loves and to a fragile hope for redemption. The tone remains steeped in suspense, balancing moments of tender intimacy with the ever‑present threat of the beast within, leaving viewers to wonder how far a man will go to protect those he holds dear.

Full plot

What Happens in Cross of the Seven Jewels?

The complete story of Cross of the Seven Jewels, from the first scene to the last, in 407 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 2 cast member pages.

Spoilers ahead

The film opens with a sadomasochistic satanic sect led by a priest who evokes the demon Aborym with a ritual. A few years later, Marco Sartori, a Roman bank employee, travels to Naples to locate his cousin Carmela, whom he hasn’t seen for years. They meet at the train station, chat at a bar, and wander through the busy streets, when four muggers snatch a precious jeweled cross from Marco that he wears around his neck. With the help of the police, Marco tries to track the thieves, but the cross has already changed hands.

The next day, Marco discovers that the girl who waited for him at the station isn’t actually his cousin, but a friend of hers, Elena, who may have fallen in love with him. Undeterred, he presses on with the search. After meeting a girl named Maria in a disco, Marco goes to a Camorra boss. The boss, knowing his line of work, offers a deal: return a list of bank accounts in exchange for the cross, but Marco refuses and is beaten by the boss’s henchmen.

The following evening, after being rescued and hosted at Maria’s house, he visits a fence named Totonno ’o Cafone in hope of locating the cross. He learns it has already been sold by Don Raffaele Esposito, a powerful Camorra boss from Somma Vesuviana. At midnight, Marco transforms into a werewolf and kills the fence. Nightmares reveal that Marco was born from a relationship between his mother and the demon Aborym, and that he is doomed to transform into a werewolf every night unless he wears the jeweled cross.

Returning to normal, Marco continues the search and reaches Don Raffaele Esposito: mistaking him for a police officer, Esposito imprisons Marco, who, after midnight, frees himself by turning into a werewolf and massacring the Camorra members. Learning that the cross is in the hands of a Roman fortune teller named Armisia, Marco heads back to Rome to recover it. When he reaches her house, he again becomes a werewolf and kills her during sexual intercourse. Thanks to Maria’s intervention, the cross is recovered and Marco regains his human appearance. Just as he holds onto the cross again, the priest from the opening scene who had evoked Aborym dies in a car accident. The film ends with Marco and Maria strolling through St. Peter’s Square, and a translucent apparition of Jesus Christ appearing to symbolize the protagonist’s newfound serenity.

Timeline

Cross of the Seven Jewels Timeline: Every Key Event in Order

15 key events in the order they happen, from “Ritual evocation of Aborym” to “Final serenity in St. Peter's Square”. 14 events name a place, across 12 locations.

  1. 1

    Ritual evocation of Aborym

    A sadomasochistic satanic sect, led by a priest, performs a ritual to evoke the demon Aborym. The ritual establishes the occult stakes that will haunt later events. The sequence hints at the supernatural foundation of Marco's fate.

    When:early in the film Where:ritual chamber

  2. 2

    Marco travels to Naples to find Carmela

    A few years after the initial ritual, Marco Sartori, a Roman bank employee, travels to Naples to locate his cousin Carmela, whom he hasn't seen for years. The journey sets Naples as the stage for the ensuing struggle over the cross. His search drives the plot forward with a mix of mystery and danger.

    When:a few years later Where:Naples

  3. 3

    Cross stolen by muggers

    Around the same time, in Naples, four muggers steal the jeweled cross that Marco wears after meeting Carmela at the train station and chatting at a bar. The cross vanishes into the criminal underworld, leaving Marco with a burning quest. The theft immediately pivots the story toward desperation and pursuit.

    When:the day after meeting at the station Where:Naples streets

  4. 4

    Elena pretends to be Carmela

    The next day, Marco discovers that the girl who waited for him at the station is Elena, a friend posing as Carmela who may have fallen in love with him. The mistaken identity complicates his quest and sows doubt about who can be trusted. Marco remains focused on recovering the cross despite the deception.

    When:the following day Where:Naples

  5. 5

    Maria introduces a lead to the Camorra

    Marco meets a girl named Maria in a disco, and his pursuit leads him to a Camorra boss. The boss offers to swap information (a list of bank accounts) for the cross, but Marco refuses and is beaten by the boss's henchmen. The encounter shows how danger and corruption block his search.

    When:the same night Where:Naples (disco)

  6. 6

    Rescue and pursuit of Totonno 'o Cafone; Don Esposito buys the cross

    The following evening, after being rescued and hosted at Maria's house, Marco goes to Totonno 'o Cafone to locate the cross. He learns that Don Raffaele Esposito, a powerful Camorra boss from Somma Vesuviana, has already sold it. The revelation shifts the chase into the heart of Esposito's criminal world.

    When:the next evening Where:Naples / Somma Vesuviana

  7. 7

    Midnight werewolf attack on the fence

    At midnight, Marco transforms into a werewolf and massacres Totonno 'o Cafone. The act reveals the night-bound curse tied to his bloodline and to the cross he wears. It marks a dramatic turn in the story by making the supernatural element undeniable.

    When:midnight Where:Naples

  8. 8

    Nightmare reveal of his origin

    Nightmares reveal that Marco was born from a relationship between his mother and the demon Aborym, condemning him to become a werewolf every night unless he wears the cross. The revelation reframes his struggle as a predestined fate and explains the cross's protective power. The sequence deepens the tragedy of his condition.

    When:during nightmares Where:Dream world

  9. 9

    Imprisonment by Don Esposito

    Marco returns to Somma Vesuviana and confronts Don Esposito, whom he mistakes for a policeman and is imprisoned. The captivity intensifies the danger and deepens his desperation to reclaim the cross. The episode ties the criminal world to the occult threat tormenting him.

    When:after the confrontation Where:Somma Vesuviana

  10. 10

    Escape and slaughter of Camorra

    After midnight, Marco frees himself by transforming into a werewolf and massacring the Camorra members at Don Esposito's domain. The bloody escape demonstrates that his curse cannot be easily controlled. The episode further intertwines the demon's influence with the human struggle for the cross.

    When:after midnight Where:Don Esposito's domain

Show the other 5 events of Cross of the Seven Jewels
  1. 11

    Cross moves to Armisia in Rome

    Learning the cross is in the hands of a Roman fortune teller named Armisia, Marco returns to Rome to recover it. The pursuit shifts from Naples' criminal world to Rome's occult circuit. The journey broadens the scope of his quest.

    When:return to Rome Where:Rome

  2. 12

    Confrontation with Armisia; werewolf transformation during sex

    When Marco reaches Armisia's house, he transforms into a werewolf again and kills her during sexual intercourse. The disturbing scene blends passion with supernatural danger. The cross remains central to his humanity and his fate.

    When:during sexual intercourse at night Where:Armisia's house, Rome

  3. 13

    Maria rescues the cross; Marco returns to humanity

    Maria intervenes, the cross is recovered, and Marco regains his human appearance. The revival of his normal self seems to promise a new, peaceful life. The moment marks a restoration of love and sane existence.

    When:immediately after Armisia confrontation Where:Armisia's house

  4. 14

    The priest's death signals the end of Aborym's hold

    The priest who had invoked Aborym dies in a car accident, signaling the end of that occult thread. The sudden death liberates Marco from the demon's lingering influence. This twist ties the fates of all involved to a final, fateful moment.

    When:end of film

  5. 15

    Final serenity in St. Peter's Square

    Marco and Maria walk in St. Peter's Square, sharing quiet happiness. An apparition of Jesus Christ appears transparently, symbolizing their newfound serenity and spiritual closure. The ending fuses romance, faith, and the supernatural in a hopeful closure.

    When:ending Where:St. Peter's Square

Characters

Who Are the Main Characters in Cross of the Seven Jewels?

6 characters, among them Marco Sartori (Marco Antonio Andolfi), Maria (Annie Belle) and Boss from Sicily (George Ardisson): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.

  • MS

    Marco Sartori (Marco Antonio Andolfi)

    Played by Marco Antonio Andolfi

    A Roman bank employee who travels to Naples and becomes entangled in a dangerous quest for a stolen cross. He is resourceful and stubborn, driven by a need to recover the artifact and defend his humanity. His arc merges a rational, everyday life with a looming supernatural fate, as he discovers a demonic ancestry that explains his nightly transformations.

    • 💼 Banker
    • 🧬 Supernatural
    • ❤️ Love
  • M(

    Maria (Annie Belle)

    Played by Annie Belle

    A compassionate presence who shelters Marco and becomes his emotional anchor. She fuels his search for the cross with hope and courage, and she plays a pivotal role in his ultimate recovery of humanity. Her care grounds the story amid crime, danger, and the unfolding supernatural conflict.

    • 💖 Love
    • 🏠 Shelter
    • 🗺️ Travel
  • BF

    Boss from Sicily (George Ardisson)

    Played by George Ardisson

    A ruthless Camorra boss who operates within the Naples underworld. He offers Marco a dangerous trade: information from bank accounts in exchange for the cross, testing Marco's loyalty and nerve. His presence underscores the criminal power and calculation at the core of the plot.

    • 🔪 Crime boss
    • 💰 Power
    • 🗺️ Underworld
  • BM

    Black Mass Leader (Gordon Mitchell)

    Played by Gordon Mitchell

    A menacing figurehead of a criminal faction tied to the film's occult-sinister atmosphere. He enforces brutal decisions and orchestrates violent actions that shape Marco's path and choices. His character contributes to the sense of a pervasive, dangerous criminal net surrounding the cross.

    • ⚔️ Violence
    • 🗡️ Power
    • 🕳️ Underworld
  • M(

    Minister (Giulio Massimini)

    Played by Giulio Massimini

    An official seen in the opening scenes, hinting at occult forces and ritualistic elements tied to Aborym. His role underscores the intersection of power, religion, and the dark supernatural thread that runs through the story.

    • 🏛️ Politics
    • 🕯️ Occult
  • MA

    Madame Amnesia (Zaira Zoccheddu)

    Played by Zaira Zoccheddu

    A mysterious fortune teller whose presence adds an arcane layer to the plot. She embodies prophecy and secrets that intersect with Marco's fate and the demon Aborym's influence.

    • 🔮 Fortune teller
    • 🧭 Fate
Setting

Where and When Is Cross of the Seven Jewels Set?

Cross of the Seven Jewels is set in Naples and Rome. Here is why the place matters to the story.

Where

Naples, Rome

The story unfolds across Naples' gritty streets and the later Roman backdrop, culminating in the expansive setting of St. Peter's Square. Naples provides a rough, crime-infested atmosphere where the Camorra's influence presses on Marco's journey. Rome returns as the stage for crucial confrontations and Marco's final attempt to reclaim the cross, blending ordinary city life with a dangerous underworld vibe.

  • 🌆 Naples
  • 🏛️ Rome
Themes

What Are the Themes of Cross of the Seven Jewels?

2 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Werewolf Curse and Criminal Underworld.

  1. 01

    Werewolf Curse

    Marco Sartori's nightly transformation into a werewolf anchors the film's conflict between humanity and a predetermined monstrous fate. The jeweled cross worn by Marco functions as a talisman that dampens his beastly urges, tying his survival to a protective object. The revelation that his birth is linked to the demon Aborym adds a fatal dimension to his quest, forcing choices between love, loyalty, and self-preservation. This theme explores how lineage and supernatural forces shape personal choices under pressure.

  2. 02

    Criminal Underworld

    The Camorra's power structure drives the plot, turning every encounter into a negotiation or trap. Marco's search for the cross collides with bosses, fences, and informants, highlighting the blurred line between law and crime. The cross becomes a bargaining chip in a deadly game where trust is scarce and violence is a currency. The underworld atmosphere colors the film with tension and a sense of inevitability.

Tone & mood

What Kind of Film Is Cross of the Seven Jewels?

Dark in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.

Tone
Dark
Pacing
Fast
Story
Moderate
Intensity
High
Ending
Happy

A relentless and oppressive werewolf horror that plunges the viewer into a brutal world of occult curses, violent transformation, and Camorra crime, creating a feverish and grim viewing experience with a final glimmer of hope.

  • oppressive
  • anxious
  • brutal
  • grotesque
  • supernatural
  • feverish
  • supernatural curse
  • metamorphosis
  • occultism
  • organized crime

Content notes: rape, gore, murder, sexual violence, satanic ritual.

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FAQ

Cross of the Seven Jewels Plot Questions

4 quick answers about Cross of the Seven Jewels, taken from the plot summary, character guide and setting on this page.

What is Cross of the Seven Jewels about?

In a world where ancient rites linger beneath the neon glow of modern streets, a hidden black‑magic society watches the fragile line between humanity and the beastly unknown.

Read the full plot summary

When and where does Cross of the Seven Jewels take place?

Cross of the Seven Jewels is set in Naples and Rome. The story unfolds across Naples' gritty streets and the later Roman backdrop, culminating in the expansive setting of St. Peter's Square.

The setting explained

Who are the main characters in Cross of the Seven Jewels?

The story follows Marco Sartori (Marco Antonio Andolfi) (played by Marco Antonio Andolfi), Maria (Annie Belle) (played by Annie Belle), Boss from Sicily (George Ardisson) (played by George Ardisson) and Black Mass Leader (Gordon Mitchell) (played by Gordon Mitchell); the character guide covers 6 characters in all.

All the characters

What are the main themes of Cross of the Seven Jewels?

The summary picks out 2 themes: Werewolf Curse and Criminal Underworld.

The themes explained

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