What Is Inferno About?
The premise of Inferno in 300 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the waning light of Rome and New York, an unsettling hush settles over the streets, hinting at forces that linger just beyond perception. Twin siblings are drawn together by a shared unease, compelled to explore a shadowy conspiracy that weaves witchcraft, forgotten legacies, and a growing sense of dread through the heart of two iconic cities. The world feels simultaneously modern and haunted, where ordinary corners conceal whispers of ancient terror.
Rose Elliot, a solitary poet living in a cramped New York apartment, spends her days cataloguing the ordinary while her nights are filled with cryptic verses that seem to echo an unseen presence. Her introspective nature and keen eye for the uncanny set the tone for a journey that balances fragile artistic sensibility with an obsessive pull toward the mysterious. The city’s cramped corridors and quiet alcoves become a backdrop for something far larger than a single life.
Mark, a music student with a restless curiosity, arrives from Rome, carrying his sister’s urgent letter and an instinct that the darkness surrounding them is more than metaphor. His practical mindset clashes with the bizarre atmosphere that surrounds Rose, creating a dynamic of skepticism tempered by yearning for answers. Their sibling bond, underscored by both affection and an unspoken rivalry, drives them to question the thin veil between reality and nightmare.
Together, they stand at the edge of an unseen inferno—a looming calamity that threatens to reshape their world. The film’s tone blends oppressive atmosphere with moments of fleeting beauty, inviting the audience to feel the weight of centuries‑old secrets while urging the siblings onward. As they navigate hidden passages and cryptic symbols, the promise of revelation hangs in the air, promising that the true terror lies not in what has been seen, but in what may yet be uncovered.
What Happens in Inferno?
The complete story of Inferno, from the first scene to the last, in 536 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 9 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Rose Elliot, portrayed by Irene Miracle, is a solitary poet residing in New York City who stumbles upon an ancient tome titled The Three Mothers. This mysterious book unveils the existence of three malevolent sisters, each reigning over the world with despair, sorrow, and darkness. Penned by the architect Varelli, the book describes the unique residences crafted specifically for each sister, located in Rome, Freiburg, and New York. Convinced that she inhabits one of these cursed buildings, Rose reaches out to her brother Mark, a music student played by Leigh McCloskey, urging him to come visit her.
As she digs deeper into Varelli’s ominous text, Rose explores the cellar of her apartment, where she uncovers a concealed hole leading to an eerie, waterlogged ballroom. In a harrowing turn of events, her keys slip into the murky depths, and as she bravely swims to retrieve them, she encounters a chilling portrait inscribed with “Mater Tenebrarum.” Suddenly, a decaying corpse emerges from the water, sending her into a frantic escape, while a shadowy figure lurks just beyond.
Simultaneously, in Rome, Mark grapples with deciphering his sister’s letter during class, only to be distracted by the striking gaze of a mysterious student (Ania Pieroni). The moment she unexpectedly leaves, Mark impulsively follows her, leaving the letter behind. His classmate Sara, portrayed by Eleonora Giorgi, discovers and reads the urgent letter, plunging her into terror. She rushes to a library to track down a copy of The Three Mothers, but her search takes a nightmarish turn when she is attacked by a ghastly creature recognizing the book. In a heart-pounding escape, she discards the book only to be met with a deadly fate alongside her neighbor Carlo, played by Gabriele Lavia.
Meanwhile, Mark arrives in New York, where he encounters the residents of Rose’s building, including a devoted nurse (Veronica Lazar) tending to the frail Professor Arnold, portrayed by Feodor Chaliapin Jr.. From the eccentric Countess Elise, played by Daria Nicolodi, Mark learns of his sister’s peculiar behavior prior to her disappearance. Their search quickly spirals into chaos as they find ominous signs of struggle, including bloodstains leading to a horrifying discovery. Mark’s investigation into Rose’s whereabouts leads him to dizzying confrontations with darkness and death.
The quest intensifies when Mark seeks answers from Kazanian, a character embodied by Sacha Pitoëff, the antique dealer who once sold Rose the ominous book. Unbeknownst to Mark, Kazanian’s fate intertwines with the horror as he meets a gruesome end involving a chaotic encounter with rats. In the subsequent unraveling of mysteries, the caretaker Carol, played by Alida Valli, stumbles upon horrific scenes, including the gruesome remains of the Countess’s butler, which lead to tragic events.
Eventually, Mark uses a crucial clue from Rose’s letter to unveil hidden passageways beneath the floors of her building, leading him to a haunting confrontation with Professor Arnold, the man behind the mask of Varelli. In a sinister twist, Varelli reveals himself as a harbinger of doom, attempting to silence Mark with a lethal injection. However, as chaos erupts with the arrival of a vengeful Mater Tenebrarum, depicted as a nightmarish entity, Mark narrowly escapes the inferno consuming the witch’s lair, setting the stage for a chilling climax.
Inferno Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Rose Finds The Three Mothers” to “The Chilling Climax”. 10 events name a place, across 7 locations.
- 1
Rose Finds The Three Mothers
Rose Elliot, a solitary poet in New York City, discovers an ancient tome called *The Three Mothers*. The book reveals the existence of three malevolent sisters, each representing despair, sorrow, and darkness, and piques her curiosity.
Where:New York City
- 2
Contacting Mark
Realizing the potential danger, Rose reaches out to her brother Mark, a music student, urging him to visit her. Her concern grows as she believes she may live in one of the cursed buildings mentioned in the book.
Where:New York City
- 3
Exploring the Cellar
Rose begins to explore her apartment's cellar, driven by the unsettling information from Varelli's book. During her exploration, she discovers a hidden, waterlogged ballroom that evokes a sense of dread.
Where:Rose's apartment
- 4
The Chilling Encounter
As Rose dives into the dark water to retrieve her keys, she encounters a haunting portrait labeled 'Mater Tenebrarum.' Suddenly, a decayed corpse surfaces, prompting her to flee in terror.
Where:Waterlogged ballroom
- 5
Mark's Distraction in Class
In Rome, Mark struggles to comprehend Rose's urgent letter during class, but is caught off guard by the presence of a mysterious student. He impulsively decides to follow her, leaving the letter behind.
Where:Rome
- 6
Sara Reads the Letter
Mark's classmate, Sara, discovers the abandoned letter and is overwhelmed with fear after reading its contents. Realizing the danger, she rushes to a library to find *The Three Mothers*, hoping to uncover more.
Where:Library
- 7
Sara's Nightmarish Attack
As Sara delves into the mysterious tome, she is attacked by a terrifying creature aware of the book's power. In a desperate bid for survival, she discards the book but tragically meets her demise.
- 8
Mark Arrives in New York
Upon arriving in New York, Mark meets various residents of Rose's building, including a devoted nurse. He swiftly learns about his sister's odd behavior leading up to her disappearance.
Where:Rose's apartment building
- 9
The Search for Rose
Mark's investigation takes a dark turn as he discovers bloodstains within Rose's apartment. The signs of struggle provoke a sense of urgency as Mark desperately seeks to uncover his sister's fate.
- 10
Consulting Kazanian
Mark consults Kazanian, the antique dealer who sold Rose the ominous book, seeking answers. Unbeknownst to him, Kazanian is ensnared in the horror as he faces a gruesome end at the hands of rats.
Show the other 5 events of Inferno Hide the last 5 events
- 11
The Caretaker's Discovery
The caretaker, Carol, uncovers horrifying scenes within the building, including the remains of the Countess's butler. Each gruesome discovery deepens the chilling atmosphere surrounding the building.
Where:Rose's apartment building
- 12
Hidden Passageways Revealed
Utilizing a crucial clue from Rose's letter, Mark uncovers hidden passageways beneath the building's floors. This revelation leads him to a spine-chilling confrontation with the true identity of Varelli.
Where:Beneath Rose's apartment
- 13
The Face of Doom
During the confrontation, Varelli is revealed as a harbinger of doom, intent on silencing Mark permanently with a lethal injection. Tension escalates as chaos unfolds around them.
- 14
Mater Tenebrarum's Arrival
As the confrontation reaches a breaking point, a vengeful entity, Mater Tenebrarum, emerges. She embodies pure terror, forcing Mark to escape as the witch's lair erupts into flames.
- 15
The Chilling Climax
The film builds to a chilling climax as Mark narrowly escapes the inferno engulfing the building. The dark forces surrounding him and the battle with Mater Tenebrarum set the stage for a terrifying conclusion.
Where:New York City
Who Are the Main Characters in Inferno?
5 characters, among them Rose Elliot (Irene Miracle), Mark (Leigh McCloskey) and Countess Elise (Daria Nicolodi): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- RE
Rose Elliot (Irene Miracle)
Played by Irene Miracle
Rose is portrayed as a solitary and introspective poet whose curiosity leads her into the depths of a horrifying mystery. Her initial investigation into the ominous tome reveals her vulnerability and bravery, faced with forces beyond her comprehension. Her character embodies the struggle between creative expression and the encroaching darkness.
- 📖 Poet
- 🕵️♀️ Investigative
- 🧠 Curious
- M(
Mark (Leigh McCloskey)
Played by Leigh McCloskey
Mark is a music student who transitions from a concerned brother to an active investigator in search of his missing sister. His character evolves as he confronts the horrific realities tied to Rose's experiences, highlighting a blend of determination and naivety in facing the supernatural chaos surrounding him.
- 🎼 Musician
- 🔍 Determined
- 👨👧 Brother
-
Countess Elise (Daria Nicolodi)
Played by Daria Nicolodi
The eccentric Countess Elise is a key figure in unraveling the mystery surrounding Rose's behavior. With a blend of charm and eeriness, she adds to the atmosphere of intrigue while exposing darker truths about the malevolent forces at play. Her character serves as a bridge between the past and the present horrors.
- 👑 Eccentric
- 🌪️ Mysterious
- 🕰️ Historical
- PA
Professor Arnold (Feodor Chaliapin Jr.)
Played by Feodor Chaliapin Jr.
Professor Arnold epitomizes the blend of intelligence and danger in his role, as he is deeply intertwined with the ominous legacy of the Three Mothers. His duality as both a mentor and a threat exemplifies the deceptive nature of knowledge, emphasizing the fine line between learning and peril.
- 📚 Mentor
- ⚠️ Threatening
- 🔍 Mysterious
- K(
Kazanian (Sacha Pitoëff)
Played by Sacha Pitoëff
Kazanian, as the antique dealer, carries the weight of secrets tied to the ominous book. His character serves as a pivotal connection, where his past decisions propel the story towards its horrific climax, highlighting the consequences of dealing with dark legacies.
- 🧭 Antique Dealer
- 🔑 Key Character
- ⚰️ Fatalistic
Where and When Is Inferno Set?
Inferno is set in New York City, Rome and Freiburg. Here is why the place matters to the story.
When
The narrative unfolds in a contemporary setting, reflecting modern urban life intertwined with ancient lore. It juxtaposes the mundane aspects of life with elements of horror and the supernatural, highlighting a clash between everyday existence and the dark forces at play.
Where
New York City, Rome, Freiburg
The movie takes place in three significant locations: New York City, which serves as the home of Rose Elliot, is known for its vibrant arts scene and dark undercurrents. Rome is steeped in history and mystery, representing the origin of the ancient tome that reveals dark secrets. Freiburg, while less emphasized, adds to the atmospheric landscape where horror unfolds.
- 🌆 City
- 🏛️ Historical
- 🏠 Haunted
What Are the Themes of Inferno?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Knowledge, Death and Supernatural.
-
01
Knowledge
The pursuit of knowledge often leads to peril in this story, as the characters delve into the ancient tome *The Three Mothers*. The quest for truth transforms into a terrifying journey, where knowledge becomes both a tool and a weapon against dark forces, showcasing the double-edged nature of uncovering hidden realities.
-
02
Death
Death permeates the plot as characters confront not just mortality but the supernatural threats that herald a sinister fate. The film showcases characters grappling with the consequences of their actions as they face relentless horror manifested through gruesome encounters and a looming presence of death.
-
03
Supernatural
The supernatural theme is central to the narrative, as malevolent forces rooted in the past clash with the present. Characters face the terror of dark entities and their influence over the physical world, which creates an atmosphere of suspense and dread, making the ordinary turn into the extraordinary.
What Kind of Film Is Inferno?
Dark in tone, with variable pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Variable
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Ambiguous
A dread-filled, atmospheric horror film that builds an overwhelming sense of paranoia and claustrophobia as characters investigate an ancient evil tied to a sinister book and a cursed building.
- ominous
- claustrophobic
- suspenseful
- dread-filled
- nightmarish
- paranoid
- witchcraft
- ancient evil
- investigation
- supernatural horror
Content notes: animal death, brutal murder, decomposed corpse, gruesome death, rat attack.
Quiz
How well do you remember Inferno? Test yourself on the story.
Where to Watch Inferno
Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Eternal Family, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 15
Amazon Prime Video 
Amazon Prime Video with Ads 
Eternal Family 
Fandango at Home Free 
Fandor Amazon Channel 
Fawesome 
Kanopy 
Metrograph 
Midnight Pulp 
Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel 
Night Flight Plus 
Philo 
Pluto TV 
Screambox Amazon Channel 
Tubi TV 
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