Humiliated and Insulted

Humiliated and Insulted

Year: 1990

Runtime: 106 mins

Language: Russian

Director: Andrey Eshpay

RomanceDrama

Based on the Fyodor Dostoevsky novel about a young woman who leaves her family to live with her lover whose father dead set on keeping them apart.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Humiliated and Insulted 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!

Timeline & Setting – Humiliated and Insulted (1990)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Humiliated and Insulted (1990). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

19th century Russia

The story sits in a rigid, class-conscious society where arranged marriages, dowries, and family honor drive decisions. Aristocrats and merchants navigate power dynamics, while orphans and dependents seek safety within a troubled social order. The era’s moral ambiguities are central to how characters manipulate or support one another.

Location

Saint Petersburg

The film unfolds in Saint Petersburg, a city of imperial palaces, grand boulevards, and damp, winding streets. Its atmosphere mixes opulence with social tension, matching Natasha’s precarious position between wealth and poverty. The city’s mood—rainy, crowded, and morally intricate—amplifies the drama of love, betrayal, and resilience.

🏙️ Saint Petersburg 🕰️ 19th‑century setting 🎨 Cultural Hub

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:33

Main Characters – Humiliated and Insulted (1990)

Meet the key characters of Humiliated and Insulted (1990), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Prince Valkovsky

A manipulative noble who uses wealth and influence to steer others' lives, masking darker intentions and past betrayals. His charm masks a willingness to sacrifice others for status and control, creating friction in Natasha and Alyosha’s romance. He embodies the corrupting power of aristocratic privilege and the harm it inflicts on those around him.

🎭 Manipulator 👑 Aristocrat 🪙 Power-Seeker

Natasha Ichmenyeva

A woman torn between love and duty, caught in a web of family obligation and social expectations. She demonstrates resilience and insight, recognizing Valkovsky’s manipulations and seeking a path that preserves her integrity. Her choices drive the emotional core of the story and test loyalties within the Ichmenyev family.

❤️ Lover 💪 Strong-Willed 🌹 Noble Spirit

Alyosha Valkovsky

The son of Prince Valkovsky, torn between love for Natasha and the pressure of his father’s arrangements. His loyalties waver under the weight of dowry expectations, revealing the moral conflicts faced by those navigating wealth and affection. He embodies the friction between genuine feeling and social calculation.

💰 Dowry-Driven 💞 Torn Loyalties 🎭 Father-Pressure

Ivan Petrovich

A young writer and the adopted son of the Ichmenev family who quietly loves Natasha. He acts with integrity, supporting Natasha through hardship and helping Nelly, showing steadfast loyalty and empathy even when faced with social peril. His sensitivity and resolve anchor the relationships around him.

🖊️ Writer 🧭 Loyal Friend 🎯 Protagonist

Nikolai Ikhmenev

Natasha’s father, formerly employed by Valkovsky, whose fortunes are crushed by a dispute that leads to embezzlement accusations and poverty. His pride and initial anger give way to a reconciliation driven by his daughter’s choices and the consequences of those choices. He embodies the fragile grip of a once-stable family now tested by hardship.

👨 Father 💔 Financial Struggles 🏚️ Disowned

Anna Ikhmeneva

A matriarchal figure within the Ichmenev circle who provides support and stability amidst turmoil. Her presence offers a counterbalance to Valkovsky’s manipulations and Natasha’s plight, representing a pillar of family continuity. Her actions help anchor Natasha’s decisions in a protective, if strained, familial loyalty.

👩 Matriarch 💪 Supportive 🏠 Family Anchor

Elena (Nellie)

A twelve-year-old orphan who endures abuse and deteriorating health. Ivan and Masloboev rescue her, and she becomes a poignant presence in Ivan’s life. Nellie’s gravity and eventual death underscore the human cost of the social and familial failures depicted in the story.

🧒 Orphan 💔 Ill 🕊️ Innocence

Masloboev

A detective friend who aids Ivan in the search for truth and protection for vulnerable individuals like Nellie. His practical, loyal nature helps navigate danger and moral complexity. He serves as a bridge between personal affection and public justice in the narrative.

🕵️ Detective 🧭 Loyal Ally 🎯 Sharp Mind

Natasha's Father / Nikolai Ikhmenev

Natasha’s father whose earlier alliance with Valkovsky illustrates the precarious nature of wealth and influence. His stance shifts as father-daughter tensions intensify, culminating in a scene of reconciliation influenced by Nelly’s intervention. His arc reflects familial vulnerability within a harsh social order.

👨 Father 🏚️ Lost Fortune 🫂 Reconciler

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:33

Major Themes – Humiliated and Insulted (1990)

Explore the central themes of Humiliated and Insulted (1990), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Love vs Duty

Romantic feelings collide with social expectations and material concerns. Natasha’s devotion to Alyosha conflicts with parental pressure and financial realities. Ivan’s steadfast affection for Natasha adds a protective layer, testing whether love can transcend hierarchy. The narrative continually weighs personal desire against duty to family and society.

🎭 Power & Manipulation

Prince Valkovsky wields charm and control to steer others’ choices and shield his own interests. The dowry system and lineage politics are weaponized to shape relationships and outcomes. Valkovsky’s history of deceit mirrors his treatment of Natasha, highlighting how power can corrupt intimacy. The struggle exposes how social position can manipulate fate.

👪 Family & Social Class

Families are battlegrounds where reputation and money determine alliances. Natasha’s father’s disownment after she chooses her partner underscores the pain of filial bonds under economic pressure. The contrast between the Ichmenevs’ vulnerability and Valkovsky’s privilege drives much of the plot. Reconciliation hinges on bridging class divides and mending broken ties.

🌟 Resilience & Sacrifice

Nelly’s resilience in the face of abuse and illness embodies quiet courage amid hardship. Ivan’s protective actions and Masloboev’s loyalty illustrate courage that operates outside formal power. The story highlights acts of selflessness that endure beyond personal loss. Nelly’s ultimate fate reinforces the cost of standing up to cruelty.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:33

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Humiliated and Insulted

Don't stop at just watching — explore Humiliated and Insulted 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 Humiliated and Insulted is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Humiliated and Insulted Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Humiliated and Insulted, 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.

Humiliated and Insulted Summary

Humiliated and Insulted Timeline

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

Humiliated and Insulted Timeline

More About Humiliated and Insulted

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Humiliated and Insulted: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Humiliated and Insulted

Similar Movies to Humiliated and Insulted

Discover movies like Humiliated and Insulted 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.