Year: 1980
Runtime: 95 min
Language: English
Director: Ruggero Deodato
While exploring the Amazon rainforest, a professor finds evidence of a missing film crew. He recovers their recovered and disturbing footage, which documents their experiences with a previously uncontacted tribe. The recovered film reveals a horrifying story of survival, violence, and ultimately, a tragic end for the expedition members, forcing the professor to confront the brutal reality of their fate.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Cannibal Holocaust yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Get a spoiler-free look at Cannibal Holocaust (1980) 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.
In the dense, unforgiving reaches of the Amazon, a lost documentary crew vanished while chasing legends of an isolated tribe. Their absence becomes the catalyst for a reluctant academic, Harold Monroe, a professor whose expertise in anthropology is matched only by his curiosity about the unknown. Drawn from the bustling corridors of New York University to the humid silence of the jungle, Monroe steps into a world where the line between observer and participant blurs, and every rustle of leaves hints at stories that have never been told.
The missing filmmakers—led by the ambitious director Alan Yates and accompanied by his determined partner Faye Daniels, along with camera operators Jack Anders and Mark Tomaso—embodied the restless drive to capture raw, untamed reality. Their quest, however, has left behind fragments of a narrative that feels both alluring and unsettling. As Monroe follows the faint trail of their expedition, he is guided by local hands, including a seasoned Venezuelan tracker named Chaco, whose knowledge of the rainforest’s customs and hidden pathways offers a fragile bridge between Western curiosity and indigenous wisdom.
The film’s tone hangs between stark documentary realism and a mounting sense of dread, inviting viewers to contemplate the ethics of voyeurism and the price of ambition. The jungle itself becomes a character—its towering canopy, incessant chorus of insects, and ever‑present mist shaping a backdrop that is as beautiful as it is menacing. Amidst this wild tableau, Monroe’s academic rigor collides with primal forces, setting the stage for a meditation on civilization versus nature, and the uneasy question of who truly holds the power to tell a story.
Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 14:13
Don't stop at just watching — explore Cannibal Holocaust 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 Cannibal Holocaust is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of Cannibal Holocaust, 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.
Track the full timeline of Cannibal Holocaust with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover movies like Cannibal Holocaust that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
Cannibal Holocaust (1980) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Cannibal Holocaust (1980) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Cannibal Holocaust (1980) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow
Movies Like Cannibal Holocaust – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
The Green Inferno (2015) Film Overview & Timeline
Cannibal (2014) Film Overview & Timeline
Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death (1989) Film Overview & Timeline
Eaten Alive (1977) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Keep the River on Your Right: A Modern Cannibal Tale (2001) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Creature (2011) Detailed Story Recap
Rabid (1977) Detailed Story Recap
The Human Centipede (First Sequence) (2010) Story Summary & Characters
Flesh for the Beast (2003) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Caniba (2018) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Hannibal Rising (2007) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
American Cannibal: The Road to Reality (2007) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
River of Blood (2025) Movie Recap & Themes
The Hills Have Eyes (1977) Film Overview & Timeline
Humanoids from the Deep (1980) Ending Explained & Film Insights