Inferno (1980)

Inferno (1980) is an Italian supernatural horror film written and directed by Dario Argento. Rose Elliot, a poet residing in New York City’s Upper West Side, purchases a book from an antiques dealer titled The Three Mothers, written by alchemist Varelli. The book tells the tale of three malevolent sisters who each reside in their own specially constructed homes: Mater Suspiriorum, the Mother of Sighs in Freiburg; Mater Lachrymarum, the Mother of Tears in Rome; and Mater Tenebrarum, the Mother of Darkness in New York. Believing that she may be living in Mater Tenebrarum’s building, Rose reaches out to her brother Mark, a music student studying in Rome, urging him to visit. Following clues from the book, Rose searches her building’s cellar and comes upon a hole leading to a water-filled ballroom.

As she jumps into the water to retrieve her lost keys, Rose is startled by a group of decaying bodies that emerge from the depths. Despite her fear, she manages to swim back to safety and make her way towards her apartment. On her way, she overhears two individuals whispering about her and their need to conceal information from an unknown man. Suddenly, there is a rumble as wooden beams collapse somewhere in the building. However, before the scene can unfold, we are transported to Rome where Mark is attempting to read Rose’s letter in class. His concentration is broken by a stunning female student who catches his eye as she holds a fluffy cat. As class ends, the woman abruptly departs and Mark follows suit, leaving the letter behind.