Adagio

Adagio

Year: 2023

Runtime: 127 mins

Language: Italian

Director: Stefano Sollima

ActionCrimeThriller

Tangled up with blackmail and crooked cops, the son of a former gangster seeks out his father’s old friends, who risk everything to save him.

Adagio (2023) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Adagio (2023) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

The film opens in a Rome that seems to be breathing fire. Blackouts flicker through the streets, and sudden sparks turn familiar avenues into a smoky labyrinth where the ordinary and the dangerous blur together. The city’s atmosphere is oppressive yet electric, a pressure cooker of tension that turns every corner into a potential flashpoint. In this volatile backdrop, power and silence move in tandem, shaping a world where every whispered deal feels as dangerous as the flames licking the skyline.

At the heart of the chaos is Manuel, a sixteen‑year‑old whose lineage ties him to a vanished underworld. The son of a former gangster, he suddenly finds himself entangled in a web of blackmail and crooked cops, forced to navigate a night that threatens to consume him. Driven by a mixture of youthful defiance and the weight of his family’s legacy, he seeks any foothold that might keep him from being swallowed whole by the city’s relentless grip.

His search leads him to the aging allies of his father, figures who still carry the echo of the Magliana gang’s old codes. Polniuman—now blind but fiercely loyal—offers a hidden sanctuary, while Cammello, a weary veteran confronting his own mortality, embodies the bittersweet blend of camaraderie and risk that defines their world. Together, these seasoned characters hint at a fragile network of honor and sacrifice, set against the relentless roar of a city ablaze. The tone remains gritty and unflinching, inviting viewers to linger in the uneasy tension that pulses through every shadowed alley and flickering streetlamp.

Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 13:24

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Narrative Summary

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The narrative pattern follows a protagonist, often an ordinary person or a reluctant anti-hero, who becomes entangled in a web of institutional deceit. Their attempts to fight back or simply survive are met with overwhelming opposition, revealing the depth of the corruption. The journey is typically a downward trajectory, emphasizing the futility of resistance and the inevitability of a grim outcome.

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These movies are grouped by their shared, overwhelmingly dark tone and their central theme of inescapable systemic corruption. They create a cohesive viewing experience defined by a gritty, oppressive atmosphere, heavy emotional weight, and a pervasive sense of hopelessness that challenges the very idea of justice.

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Don't stop at just watching — explore Adagio in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Adagio is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Adagio Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Adagio, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Adagio Summary

Adagio Timeline

Track the full timeline of Adagio with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Adagio Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Adagio

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Adagio

Adagio Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of Adagio? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

Adagio Ending Explained

More About Adagio

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