What Is The Devil in Love About?
The premise of The Devil in Love in 285 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the tense political landscape of 1478 Italy, an uneasy truce hangs between the rival city-states of Rome and Florence—a fragile peace that threatens to unravel at the slightest provocation. Into this delicate balance arrives Beelphegor, an archdevil dispatched from Hell with a singular purpose: to reignite old hatreds and plunge the region into chaos. Accompanied by his unseen accomplice, the lower demon Adrammelech, Beelphegor steps into mortal flesh for the first time, carrying with him supernatural abilities and a dark curiosity about what it truly means to walk among the living.
Disguised as a refined traveler, Beelphegor infiltrates the Florentine court of Lorenzo de’ Medici, the wise ruler who has spent years carefully crafting diplomacy to keep bloodshed at bay. There, he encounters a constellation of strong personalities: Maddalena De Medici, a woman whose independent spirit refuses to be treated as mere political currency in her father’s strategic marriage plans; Francesco Cibo, the ambitious young noble recently returned from France to secure an alliance; and Gianfigliazzo, the Capitan of Lorenzo’s guard, whose watchful eyes harbor suspicions and unspoken desires.
As Beelphegor tests the boundaries of his human form—discovering the pleasures and limitations of mortal existence—his mission to sow discord collides with an unexpected awakening. The archdevil finds himself drawn to Maddalena’s intellect and resolve, even as political machinations swirl around them. What begins as a calculated scheme to manipulate the Florentine court and shatter the peace soon becomes something far more complicated: a study in the transformative power of mortal passion. In a world where love and duty, human and infernal, constantly threaten to collide, Beelphegor must navigate whether even a devil can be changed by the very emotions he was sent to exploit.
What Happens in The Devil in Love?
The complete story of The Devil in Love, from the first scene to the last, in 1,086 words (about 5 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 5 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Beelphegor, Mickey Rooney the archdevil who Ades dispatches to Earth, arrives amid the uneasy truce between Rome and Florence. The holy cease-fire has the odd blessing of reducing the number of souls Ades can claim, but it also tempts a malevolent curiosity in the demon: how does mortal life truly feel when experienced in a body? Beelphegor is aided by the invisible lower demon Adrammelech, and together they set out to undo the fragile peace by reigniting old tensions between the Pope and the Signoria.
Once on Italian soil, Beelphegor slips into human form and begins testing the limits of his new life. Even while in human flesh, he wields a pocketful of supernatural tricks: he can bend luck at gambling, hypnotize with a glance, and seduce with ease. He also carries the scale of his powers—great strength, pyrokinesis, and a stubborn resistance to fire—though all of this remains partially veiled by his attempt to blend in with ordinary travelers and merchants. The archdevil’s first foray into mortal pleasures gradually becomes a study in what flesh and desire can teach a being who has spent centuries tempting humanity from afar.
Beelphegor’s path crosses with Francesco Cibo, the ambitious young noble who has just returned from France to seal a political alliance with Maddalena De Medici. Francesco, Luigi Vannucchi in this tale, is drawn into the Florentine court’s orbit as he secures Maddalena’s hand for the sake of a united front against Rome. Maddalena, portrayed by Claudine Auger, is a woman of independent spirit who refuses to be mere political leverage in her father Lorenzo de’ Medici’s plans. Lorenzo, the wise ruler of Florence, is played by Gabriele Ferzetti, a man who weighs the costs of peace against the temptations of power and the danger of a fragile alliance that could be shattered by deceit.
Beelphegor, disguising himself as a refined guest in Lorenzo’s court, quickly disarms the expectations of the Medici inner circle. Two key figures stand out: Maddalena, whose will and courage command attention even as she navigates a marriage proposed for political reasons, and Gianfigliazzo, the Capitan of Lorenzo’s guard, who bears a personal vendetta and an unspoken love for Maddalena. Gianfigliazzo, Ettore Manni, watches Beelphegor with growing suspicion as the archdevil’s charm threatens to destabilize Lorenzo’s carefully crafted diplomacy.
As the wedding ceremony unfolds, Beelphegor deliberately refrains from naming Maddalena as his bride, a calculated ruse designed to provoke Florence into resuming war with Rome. The public insult serves Beelphegor’s real objective: to force the Gallic-like stalemate into a new, open conflict. The Florentine side initially convulses with anger, and Gianfigliazzo leads the charge to seize the incognito intruder, but Beelphegor slips away, aided by Adrammelech’s unseen assistance and the ingenuity of Leonardo da Vinci’s machines, which provide a new kind of warfare that the Florentines had not anticipated.
Lorenzo, ever the strategist, recognizes the danger of renewed war and the ruin it would bring to both city-states. He counsels restraint, trying to keep the peace from unraveling under the pressure of Ades’ cunning. Yet Adrammelech’s and Beelphegor’s tricks push the council toward a dangerous brink, and peace hangs in a delicate balance. Beelphegor’s mission, it seems, is succeeding—until a surprising turn begins to reshape the stakes: the archdevil grows attracted to Maddalena, drawn not only to her mind and resolve but to a rising awareness that love and mortal longing might defy his nature.
With Beelphegor’s time on Earth growing short, he resolves to turn a mortal page in his own diary: Maddalena. He returns to Lorenzo’s palace, and in a night of calculated seduction, he believes he has broken the last barrier. Maddalena, however, has already anticipated the trap. She uses her wit to misdirect him, and when a cunning plan leads to accident and exposure, Beelphegor is publicly humiliated in a spectacular display of flames and passion. He escapes once more, slipping through a hidden corridor and vanishing into the night as the crowd roars with a mixture of scorn and wonder.
In his final hours, Beelphegor meets a different kind of challenge at the edge of a countryside crossroads where a portal back to hell awaits. He is engaged by a warrior whose armor hides his face, and the two clash in a fierce duel. Beelphegor triumphs only to discover that the mysterious opponent is actually Maddalena in disguise, having stolen armor and weaponry to exact her own revenge for the night of humiliation. What begins as battle quickly turns into a shared recognition of bravery and mutual respect, and a surprising bond forms between them. Love begins to temper Beelphegor’s darker impulses, and the demon, moved by Maddalena’s strength, chooses not to return to hell with Ades’ mission fulfilled.
Their happiness, however, meets a violent interruption as Gianfigliazzo and his men close in, and the forces of judgment converge once more. Beelphegor is captured and prepared for a ceremonial execution by fire in Florence, but fate intervenes when Adrammelech reappears, revealing that Ades is furious at the delay and the sight of true affection between a mortal woman and a demon. The punishment is harsh: Beelphegor is stripped of his infernal powers, transformed into a full mortal who can suffer pain and fear as any human would. Maddalena, moved by compassion and loyalty, chooses to join him in the flames rather than let him die alone. Lorenzo, seeing the extraordinary bond, forgives Beelphegor and seeks to spare both lovers, while Gianfigliazzo’s stubborn pride delays the final mercy.
In a pivotal turn, Maddalena’s defiance and Beelphegor’s renewed humanity compel Lorenzo to grant clemency. Gianfigliazzo, driven by jealousy, attempts a fresh attack, but Adrammelech returns to assist his former master in a last decisive way. Gianfigliazzo meets his end in the fire, and Beelphegor and Maddalena escape into a future where love and mortality stand side by side. The two lovers begin a new life together as ordinary people, free from the binds of demonhood and political intrigue, while Ades and Adrammelech withdraw, their schemes exhausted but their bond—of sorts—remaining as a reminder of the cost of peace and the price of passion.
In the end, the story leans into a quiet, hard-won serenity: a mortal life can offer sweetness and pain in equal measure, and power—whether divine or demonic—must yield to trust, sacrifice, and the courage to choose love over conquest. The old orders may bend, but the human heart proves bold enough to steer a new course, even when the path is paved with danger, doubt, and fire.
The Devil in Love Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
13 key events in the order they happen, from “Beelphegor's mission to Earth begins” to “Resolution: forgiveness and mortal life together”. 13 events name a place, across 8 locations.
- 1
Beelphegor's mission to Earth begins
In the aftermath of the new peace, Ades dispatches the archdevil Beelphegor (with the invisible Adrammelech) to Earth to sabotage the truce between the Pope and the Signoria. The aim is to reduce the number of damned souls by reigniting conflict. Beelphegor leaves Hell to begin this covert operation.
When:Beginning of the mission Where:Hell
- 2
Beelphegor experiences mortal pleasures for the first time
Once in a mortal body, Beelphegor discovers carnal pleasures—eating, drinking, and sleeping with women. He can still cheat at gambling and hypnotize, but these sensations are new and confusing in a body that limits his powers. His transition marks the start of a curious, morally charged tenure on Earth.
When:Shortly after arrival on Earth Where:Earth
- 3
Beelphegor confronts Francesco Cibo in a card duel
Beelphegor encounters Francesco Cibo dell'Anguillara, the pope's pupil returning from France to marry Maddalena de' Medici. He defeats Cibo in an escalating sequence of card gambles, winning his money, baggage, and, in a shocking turn, his life. The win secures the archdevil's early hold on the plot against the peace.
When:Soon after arrival on Earth Where:On the road to Florence
- 4
Beelphegor impersonates Cibo to Florence
With the envoy's arrival to escort the pupil to Florence, Beelphegor uses his winnings to impersonate Cibo. The party travels to Florence, where the real Francesco’s charisma begins to sway Lorenzo’s court, while Maddalena asserts a strong, independent stance.
When:Morning after impersonation Where:Florence
- 5
Maddalena asserts independence at the ceremony
At the Florentine ceremony, Maddalena declares she will neither love nor blindly obey a politically chosen husband. Her strength contrasts with the political machinations surrounding the match, setting up tension with Gianfigliazzo’s unspoken jealousy. This defiance plants seeds of conflict and fate.
When:During the engagement ceremony Where:Lorenzo's court, Florence
- 6
Gianfigliazzo's jealousy and rising tension
Gianfigliazzo, leader of Lorenzo's guards, envies Cibo because of his claim on Maddalena. His rival is a constant undercurrent as the arrangement proceeds, complicating Beelphegor's ruse and Florence's fragile peace. The stage is set for a dramatic confrontation.
When:During the engagement events Where:Florence
- 7
Beelphegor publicly rejects Maddalena; escape from capture
Beelphegor abruptly refuses Maddalena as his wife in front of the bishop, a calculated provocation to reignite war. Gianfigliazzo leads men to capture him, but the archdevil uses Adrammelech’s invisibility and Leonardo’s war machines to slip away. The peace process teeters on the brink of a new conflict.
When:During the ceremony Where:Florence
- 8
Escape aided by Adrammelech and Leonardo's inventions
Despite Florentine vigilance, Beelphegor evades capture with Adrammelech’s tricks and Leonardo’s innovative devices. The pursuit intensifies political pressure, while Lorenzo tries to safeguard peace. The balance tips back and forth as Beelphegor continues his shadow campaign.
When:Following the escape Where:Florence
- 9
Night of love and impending humiliation plan
Beelphegor returns to Lorenzo's palace, convinced he has charmed Maddalena, and schemes for a night of intimate power. Maddalena, wary and perceptive, has already warned Gianfigliazzo, turning the personal gambit into a larger test of loyalty and courage. The stage is set for revenge and revelation.
When:Night of the planned rendezvous Where:Lorenzo's palace
- 10
Friar disguise, naked display, and dramatic escape
Beelphegor steals the friar’s clothes to approach Maddalena under the pretense of spiritual aid, slipping into her rooms. He sets her clothes aflame to force a public exposure, then escapes through a secret passage and one of Leonardo’s machines. The crowd’s reaction underscores the fragility of Florence’s peace.
When:Daytime on the day of the planned display Where:Lorenzo's palace / Florence
Show the other 3 events of The Devil in Love Hide the last 3 events
- 11
Armored duel and Maddalena's deception
At a countryside crossroad, Beelphegor is attacked by a helmeted rival. Maddalena, having stolen Gianfigliazzo's armor, confronts him, turning the combat into a dramatic test of skill. The duel evolves into mutual admiration, and the two begin to see each other in a new light.
When:The final clash Where:Florence outskirts / countryside crossroads
- 12
Punishment and the loss of infernal powers
Ades orders Beelphegor’s punishment for delaying his return to hell: he loses all infernal powers and becomes mortal, doomed to a painful end. Maddalena chooses to stay by his side, even as the crowd is urged to forgive him and halt the execution. Lorenzo’s mercy is tested by Gianfigliazzo’s stubbornness.
When:Execution day and aftermath Where:Florence
- 13
Resolution: forgiveness and mortal life together
Adrammelech finally intervenes, and Gianfigliazzo is pushed into the fires. Beelphegor and Maddalena embrace, choosing to live as ordinary mortals rather than eternal adversaries. They depart Florence together, entering a life of true love and mortality beyond diabolic schemes.
When:After the rescue and execution sequence Where:Florence
Who Are the Main Characters in The Devil in Love?
7 characters, among them Beelphegor (Vittorio Gassman), Adramelek (Mickey Rooney) and Maddalena De Medici (Claudine Auger): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- B(
Beelphegor (Vittorio Gassman)
Played by Vittorio Gassman
Archdevil Beelphegor arrives on Earth disguised as a human to sabotage the Rome–Florence peace. He pursues carnal pleasures and uses his powers—gambling tricks, hypnosis, and fire resistance—to tempt and manipulate. His plan drags the political feud into the open, showing the corrupting lure of power even for a supernatural being. His evolving feelings toward Maddalena add complexity to his mission.
- 👹 Demon
- 🎭 Deception
- 🔥 Power
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Adramelek (Mickey Rooney)
Played by Mickey Rooney
A lower invisible demon who assists Beelphegor on Earth, orchestrating Beelphegor's schemes and manipulating events from the shadows. His actions underscore the supernatural forces steering court politics and diplomacy. He embodies the constant tension between hidden influence and visible power.
- 👹 Demon
- 🎭 Subterfuge
- ✨ Magic
- MD
Maddalena De Medici (Claudine Auger)
Played by Claudine Auger
Maddalena is the strong-willed Medici daughter who resists the politically arranged marriage. She asserts independence and openly challenges both her father and Beelphegor's seduction. Her courage and intelligence anchor the story, as she navigates love, politics, and personal autonomy.
- 👩 Noblewoman
- ❤️ Love
- 🕊️ Independence
- LD
Lorenzo de' Medici (Gabriele Ferzetti)
Played by Gabriele Ferzetti
Lorenzo is the wise ruler who seeks to preserve peace between Rome and Florence. He navigates court intrigue with diplomacy, weighing strategic considerations against the greater good. His leadership embodies prudent governance in a volatile era.
- 👑 Ruler
- 🧠 Strategist
- 🕊️ Peace
- FC
Franceschetto Chibo de Longuiara (Francesco Cibo dell'Anguillara) (Luigi Vannucchi)
Played by Luigi Vannucchi
Franceschetto returns from education in France to marry Maddalena as part of the peace alliance. He is young and impressionable, drawn into the political games at court and Beelphegor's manipulations. His personal stake highlights how diplomatic arrangements affect individuals.
- 🎓 Noble scion
- 💬 Diplomatic
- 🏛️ Arranged marriage
- CG
Capitano Gianfigliazzo (Ettore Manni)
Played by Ettore Manni
Gianfigliazzo is the guard captain who resents Beelphegor's interference and competes for Maddalena's affections. He embodies a militaristic, honor-bound perspective and acts as a primary obstacle to Beelphegor's scheme. His loyalty and courage drive key confrontations at the palace.
- ⚔️ Military leader
- 🛡️ Honor
- 🗡️ Conflict
- AW
Aristocrat's Wife (Giorgia Moll)
Played by Giorgia Moll
A member of the Florentine elite, she participates in the courtly milieu where alliances are forged and reputations are shaped. She observes the drama and contributes to the political atmosphere with social nuance and intrigue.
- 💃 Elite society
- 🕵️ Intrigue
- 👀 Gossip
Where and When Is The Devil in Love Set?
The Devil in Love is set in Florence, Rome and Italy (15th century). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
15th century
Set in 15th-century Italy during the height of the Renaissance, the plot revolves around fragile diplomacy between Rome and Florence. Political marriages and courtly maneuvering drive much of the action, as powerful families vie for influence. The era is marked by artistic blossoming, scientific curiosity, and shifting alliances that shape the narrative.
Where
Florence, Rome, Italy
The story unfolds across Florence and Rome in Renaissance-era Italy. It centers on the tense peace between the Papal States and the Florentine Signoria, set amid palaces, courts, and public displays of power. The setting blends political intrigue with a revival of art and architecture typical of the period.
- 🏛️ Italy
- 🏰 Florence
- 🗺️ Renaissance
What Are the Themes of The Devil in Love?
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Power & Temptation, Love vs Duty and Peace & Conflict.
-
01
Power & Temptation
Beelphegor uses charm and supernatural power to disrupt the peace. His control over events reveals how ambition and lust for influence can corrupt judgment. The archdevil's schemes threaten to re-ignite war between Rome and Florence. The fantasy elements probe how personal desires can shape public decisions.
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02
Love vs Duty
Maddalena's independence challenges the political marriage designed to seal the peace. Her romance with Beelphegor complicates loyalties and tests her wit. Private affection competes with public obligation, driving crucial choices. The arc shows how love can alter personal and political destinies.
-
03
Peace & Conflict
Lorenzo the Magnanimous tries to preserve peace between rival powers. Beelphegor's machinations aim to provoke war, exploiting fragile diplomacy. The plot highlights how fragile cooperation is when tested by cunning forces. It weighs the costs of peace against the lure of power.
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04
Deception & Supernatural Interference
The archdevils' disguises and magical traits drive the central deception, blurring truth and illusion. Adrammelech's invisible aid demonstrates how hidden powers manipulate court politics. Supernatural elements accelerate the plot and expose human vulnerabilities. The narrative asks whether power can truly create a peaceful future or inevitably corrupt it.
What Kind of Film Is The Devil in Love?
Light in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A playful and fast-paced historical comedy where a mischievous devil indulges in human pleasures and attempts to derail a political marriage, blending seduction, trickery, and lighthearted adventure.
- playful
- romantic
- whimsical
- seductive
- mischievous
- comical
- devil on earth
- arranged marriage
- political sabotage
- cunning trickery
Content notes: public humiliation.
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