Inferno

Inferno

Year: 1953

Runtime: 83 mins

Language: English

Director: Roy Ward Baker

AdventureThrillerDrama

After his leg is broken during a desert vacation, selfish millionaire Donald Carson is abandoned by his wife Geraldine and their friend Joseph Duncan, who are secretly lovers planning to leave him to die. Realizing he’s alone, Carson uses his cunning to survive, endure the harsh heat, and plot revenge against the treacherous couple.

Inferno (1953) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Inferno (1953) 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 stark expanse of the Mojave Desert, the relentless sun and endless horizon create a world where every breath feels like a transaction with survival. The landscape is both breathtaking and merciless, a place where the silence amplifies every rustle of sand and every distant echo of a distant engine. Within this unforgiving setting, the film unfolds with a tense, almost claustrophobic mood that juxtaposes the vast openness of the desert with the intimate psychological battle of its solitary protagonist.

Donald Carson is a millionaire whose life has been defined by comfort and control, yet a sudden accident shatters his carefully curated existence. With a broken leg and the desert heat pressing in, he is thrust into a situation that demands ingenuity, endurance, and a reckoning with his own self‑interest. The film watches him grapple with the raw realities of physical limitation while the scorching environment forces him to consider a path far beyond the usual privileges he’s accustomed to.

Across the sparse dunes, his wife Geraldine and longtime associate Joe Duncan hover between loyalty and ambition, each carrying their own concealed motives. Their presence hints at complex personal dynamics that are as fragile as the desert glass, suggesting that the bonds tying them together may be more volatile than the surrounding terrain. The tension between what is expected and what is concealed adds a layer of intrigue, turning simple companionship into a subtle contest of wills.

As Carson confronts the desert’s elemental challenges, the narrative lingers on his internal transformation—from a man accustomed to wielding power to someone forced to rely on sheer determination. The film invites the audience to wonder how far a person will go when stripped of all external support, and whether the burning desire for retribution can coexist with the primal drive to simply stay alive.

Last Updated: December 05, 2025 at 09:36

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Desolate Survival and Revenge Movies like Inferno

Characters pushed to their absolute limits in harsh, unforgiving landscapes.If you enjoyed the tense desert survival and revenge plot of Inferno, explore more movies like it. This list features similar stories of characters stranded in harsh environments, battling nature while plotting vengeance against treacherous foes, all with a dark, heavy emotional tone.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a clear, linear path of survival against overwhelming odds, interwoven with a personal quest for retribution. The protagonist's journey is one of endurance and cunning, often stripped of resources and allies, forcing them to rely on sheer willpower to overcome both their environment and their antagonists.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here because they share a core experience of grim survival, a dark tone of betrayal, and a steady pacing that methodically builds tension. They feature high intensity, heavy emotional weight, and a focus on a protagonist's solitary struggle in an oppressive, isolating setting.

Movies about Marital Betrayal and Psychological Thrills like Inferno

Intimate relationships become dangerous traps, leading to psychological warfare.For viewers who liked the theme of marital betrayal and psychological torment in Inferno, this collection features similar thrillers and dramas. Discover movies where intimate trust is shattered, leading to dark plots of murder, survival, and revenge, all with a steady, tense pacing and heavy emotional impact.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives often begin with a seemingly stable relationship that is revealed to be a facade. The discovery of betrayal—such as adultery with murderous intent—triggers a chain of events focused on survival and counter-scheming. The plot unfolds with a steady, deliberate pace, emphasizing the psychological weight and the calculated moves between the betrayed and the betrayers.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their dark exploration of betrayal within intimate relationships, leading to high-stakes psychological and physical conflict. They share a steady pacing that builds dread, a straightforward narrative driven by character motives, and a mixed or bleak ending feel that reflects the shattered trust.

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Inferno Summary

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Inferno Summary

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Inferno Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Inferno

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Inferno

More About Inferno

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