Unknown Origins 2020

Thriller

Drama

Budget

$3.3M

Runtime

97 mins

Language

Spanish

Directed by

David Galán Galindo

Made by

In Post We Trust

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Unknown Origins Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Unknown Origins (2020). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Set in Madrid in 2019, a disturbed killer uses comics and superhero origin stories as a blueprint for his murders, leaving a stark and unsettling mark on the city. The investigation centers on David Valentín, a detective who has long dismissed comics as childish fantasies and soon discovers that this case is built on those very myths.

He is joined by Cosme, a veteran officer nearing retirement after being forced to resign, and by their homicide chief, Norma, a commander who loves cosplay and openly admits she doesn’t read comics but watches movies and anime instead. The team dynamic adds tension as they navigate a case that increasingly feels like stepping into a living graphic novel.

A vital ally is Jorge Elías, Cosme’s son, a comic book shop owner who speaks the language of fandom and whose expertise in origin stories becomes valuable as the trail grows colder and the danger closer. As the body count rises, [David Valentín] realizes with a jolt that his own parents were killed in the same manner as Martha and Thomas Wayne’s murder in the Batman canon, a revelation that shakes him to the core.

With time running out and the case turning into a public spectacle, the trio presses forward, tracing clues that suggest the killer always seems a step ahead. The suspense intensifies as the forensic side of the department becomes entwined in the mystery, and the truth begins to surface in layers. In a twist that redefines the pursuit, it is revealed that Bruguera is the killer, and the trio must race to stop his nefarious plans before anyone else is harmed.

Unknown Origins Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Unknown Origins (2020) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Killer's first murders inspired by comics in Madrid

A psychotic killer begins targeting people in Madrid, shaping each murder after superhero origin stories. He leaves a distinct mark and uses over-the-top motifs: one victim is killed after being given supplements and steroids to resemble the Hulk; another is found with his heart removed and the killer wearing a metallic suit.

2019 Madrid

Inspector David dismisses comics as childish

Inspector David is skeptical of comics, seeing them as childish fantasies for adults. His dismissive attitude foreshadows trouble when the killer begins adapting real-world deaths into comic-style origin stories. The case tests his beliefs as the violence escalates.

early investigation Madrid police precinct

Cosme, the weary retiree cop, joins the case

Cosme, a veteran cop on the verge of retirement after being forced to resign, joins the investigation. He believes his experience with crime can help, and he advocates for bringing in his son Jorge. The dynamic shifts the investigation toward a more personal approach.

early Police precinct

Norma, the homicide chief who loves cosplay

Norma, the homicide chief, is obsessed with cosplaying and pop culture, claiming she doesn't read comics but watches movies and anime. Her unconventional style adds tension to the team as pressure from the case mounts. She wields authority while embracing a world of heroes as inspiration.

early Police HQ

Jorge Elías joins as Cosme's ally

Jorge Elías, Cosme's son, is a comic geek who runs a local shop. Cosme suggests Jorge takes part in the investigation, seeing a perfect fit for symbolic analysis of the killer's origin-story motif. Jorge's knowledge of comics becomes a crucial asset.

mid Jorge's comic store / city

First murder scenes and clues surface

The team investigates the first wave of murders and starts noticing the origin-story patterns. Forensic clues and the killer's theatrics point toward someone who choreographs each death like a panel from a graphic novel. The case tightens as investigators chase the pattern.

early Various Madrid crime scenes

Parents' deaths mirror Wayne's murder

David realizes his own parents were killed in a way identical to the deaths of Thomas and Martha Wayne in the comics. The parallel intensifies his personal stake in stopping the killer. Jorge and Norma see the case through a lens of mythic heroism and familial tragedy.

mid David's memories and crime scenes

Team coalesces to confront the killer

David, Jorge, and Norma form a plan to outmaneuver the killer who seems one step ahead. They pool investigative skills and pop-cultural knowledge to decode the origin-story murders. The tension rises as time runs out and the public learns of the case.

mid-late Madrid

News goes public and pressure escalates

Media coverage amplifies public fear and forces the team to act swiftly. The killer's moves become more daring as the pressure mounts on law enforcement. The investigation becomes a city-wide race against a shadowy villain.

late Madrid media circles

Bruguera revealed as the killer

Bruguera, the department's forensic officer, is revealed to be the killer, turning the investigation on its head. His penchant for theatrics and origin-story mimicry shows how the crime chain was orchestrated from the inside. The trio must now stop him before more lives are claimed.

climax Police lab / crime scenes

Final confrontation begins

The trio confronts Bruguera, racing against time as more clues surface and the killer's plan unravels. They use their combined knowledge of comics and real-world policing to counter the elaborate trap. The city watches as the chase reaches its peak.

climax Police lab and city streets

Resolution and aftermath

Bruguera's plot is thwarted and the immediate danger ends, though the psychological scars remain for David, Jorge, and Norma. The investigation closes with reflections on how fiction can mirror and corrupt reality. Madrid tries to return to normal after the unsettling events.

ending Madrid

Unknown Origins Characters

Explore all characters from Unknown Origins (2020). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

David Valentín (Javier Rey)

An inspector who treats comics as childish and beneath him. His professional pride is tested as the killer's methods echo graphic novel events, forcing him to confront his biases. He becomes deeply involved as his own history intersects with the case, leading a high-stakes pursuit with stubborn determination.

🔎 Detective 🧭 Determined 🧠 Analytical

Cosme (Antonio Resines)

An aging cop near retirement who is pressured to resign. He becomes a steady ally to David and recognizes Jorge's potential as a valuable ally. His experience and loyalty help ground the investigation as the case intensifies.

🧓 Veteran 🛡️ Loyal 🗝️ Experienced

Norma (Verónica Echegui)

Homicide chief who loves cosplaying; she embraces pop culture more through movies and anime than traditional comics. She leads with enthusiasm, supports the team, and uses cosplay as a way to connect with the case and the public.

👩‍✈️ Leader 🎬 Cosplay 🧩 Insider

Jorge Elías (Brays Efe)

Cosme's son, a comic geek who runs a comic book store. He brings deep fandom knowledge to the investigation and acts as a bridge between the investigators and the world of comic lore.

👦 Fan 🏪 Shopkeeper 🤝 Ally

Bruguera (Ernesto Alterio)

The department’s forensic man who is ultimately revealed as the killer. He orchestrates murders through origin-story motifs, leveraging his expertise to stay steps ahead of the investigation.

🧪 Forensic 🕵️‍♂️ Mastermind 🗡️ Cunning

Unknown Origins Settings

Learn where and when Unknown Origins (2020) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

2019

The story unfolds in 2019 Madrid, a year when pop culture and digital media shape public discourse. The killer’s use of contemporary origin stories reflects the era’s fascination with superheroes. Investigators navigate a city propelled by fandom, media attention, and escalating violence.

Location

Madrid, Spain

Set in Madrid in 2019, the film follows a killer who frames his murders through superhero origin narratives. The city serves as a modern backdrop where comic culture and crime intersect. The streets of Madrid become a stage for a tense, media-saturated investigation.

🗺️ Madrid 🏙️ City life 🎭 Pop culture

Unknown Origins Themes

Discover the main themes in Unknown Origins (2020). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

🎭

Pop Culture

Origin stories and superhero myths drive the killer's method, turning fandom into a weapon. The narrative explores how fandom can blur fantasy with reality. It questions the responsibility of storytelling when myths become lethal realities.

🧪

Science & Forensics

Forensic work and methodical investigation uncover the killer's carefully staged origin scenes, including the use of supplements that evoke comic-book transformations. The film shows investigators using evidence and deduction to connect disparate murders. The killer's gimmicks are anchored in pseudo-scientific elements rather than magic.

🕵️

Investigation

David, Jorge, and Norma form a reluctant team to stop the killer before more victims appear. The case feels like a real-world pursuit of a villain who borrows from comic lore, always staying one step ahead. Personal histories—David's skepticism about comics and Jorge's fandom—color their decisions and pressure the investigation.

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Unknown Origins Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of Unknown Origins (2020). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.

In the restless streets of 2019 Madrid, a city known for its vibrant culture becomes the backdrop for a chilling mystery. A series of murders is being orchestrated with disturbing precision, each crime echoing the dramatic origins of iconic comic‑book heroes. The perpetrator’s obsession turns the urban landscape into a dark, living graphic novel, casting a pall of unease over everyday life and drawing the eyes of a public hungry for answers.

The investigation lands in the hands of a seasoned law‑enforcer, Cosme, a veteran inspector on the brink of retirement after a forced resignation. He is paired with the sharp‑tongued but deeply troubled David Valentín, a detective who has long dismissed comics as childish escapism. Their team is overseen by Norma, the homicide chief whose love for cosplay and pop‑culture aesthetics adds an unconventional flavor to the precinct’s otherwise procedural mindset. The clashing worldviews of these three create a tense yet compelling dynamic as they grapple with a case that feels more like a storybook than a crime scene.

A crucial ally emerges in the form of Jorge Elías, Cosme’s son and owner of a modest comic‑book shop. His encyclopedic knowledge of origin narratives becomes an unexpected asset, translating the killer’s cryptic clues into something the investigators can chase. The trio’s uneasy collaboration forces each to confront personal biases, bridging the gap between hardened police methodology and the imaginative language of fandom.

As the city watches, the investigation spirals into a public spectacle, amplifying the pressure on the detectives to decipher the mythic pattern before it escalates further. The mood sways between gritty realism and the surreal aura of a graphic novel come to life, hinting at deeper questions about how stories shape reality and what darkness can be hidden behind the bright colors of heroism.