Inferno

Inferno

Year: 1999

Runtime: 95 mins

Language: English

Director: John G. Avildsen

RomanceDramaAction

After the death of his close friend Johnny, drifter Eddie Lomax rides into the desert town where Johnny lived, only to be beaten and have his motorcycle stolen by a local gang. Determined not to accept the injustice, Lomax teams up with handyman Jubal Early and receives help from several town women as he embarks on a violent quest for revenge.

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Inferno (1999) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Inferno (1999), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Eddie Lomax [Jean-Claude Van Damme] rides an Indian motorcycle across a salt-flat, chasing a sense of freedom that soon fractures into trouble. When his bike breaks down, he drinks to drown his dizziness and collapses, only to wake to the sight of his old Army buddy, Johnny Six Toes [Danny Trejo]. Eddie confesses that he’s haunted by the atrocities they committed together and even contemplates killing himself after handing over the motorcycle. But the moment expands into violence as Eddie starts firing at random, and a stray shot finds a passing truck. Three brothers swarm him, Johnny vanishes, and Eddie is beaten and shot, with the youngest brother Petey Hogan [Jonathan Avildsen] delivering the killing blow and stealing the bike.

Johnny reappears and carries Eddie back to his home, where he nurses him back to health. Once recovered, Eddie resolves to avenge himself and reclaim the motorcycle. In town, he discovers his gun has been sold to a local store. He kills the two men inside when they attack, and frees their uncle Eli Hamilton [Bill Erwin], whom they had been keeping prisoner in a back room. Eli arms Eddie, equipping him with guns and ammunition for the hunt ahead. Eddie then makes his way to the local diner, where he reconnects with Rhonda Reynolds [Gabrielle Fitzpatrick], another friend of Johnny’s. There, he learns the identities of the three men who attacked him and hires Jubal Early [Pat Morita], a diner regular, to help clean up the bodies.

Armed with new knowledge, Eddie learns from Eli and Jubal that the Hogan brothers—the men who attacked him—work with a local gang called the Heathens. He heads to the Bomb Bay Cafe to confront them and, in the ensuing violence, kills three more men and rescues two women. He informs the Heathens that the Hogans hired him, a claim that unsettles the uneasy alliance. Back at his hotel, the two women insist on thanking Eddie, and their meeting turns intimate. That night, a tense gathering reveals that the Heathens view the Hogans’ betrayal as a fatal misstep, and they plan to ambush the Hogans and their father. The Hogans counterattack the Heathens, and Eddie adds to the chaos by triggering several large explosions during the clash. Johnny unexpectedly returns, sacrificing himself to draw attention away from Eddie, and Eddie escapes with his friend.

Rhonda and Eddie are devastated when Johnny does not recover fully, and they vow to avenge him. Back in town, Eddie seems to have returned to his hotel room, but the Heathens and Hogans—realizing Eddie has played them against one another—join forces to kill him. Eddie, Eli, Rhonda, and Jubal booby-trap the room, and Eddie systematically eliminates most of the gang. When only Matt Hogan remains, he and Eddie duel. As the fight tilts, several townspeople intervene and shoot Matt, sparking a heated debate over who truly claimed his life.

In the wake of the turmoil, peace returns to the town. Eddie leaks a sensational story to the local newspaper about UFOs causing 28 disappearances, a move that brings curious tourists and renewed prosperity. He rides off with Rhonda, accompanied by a vision of Johnny standing beside him, signaling a new, uneasy balance between memory, vengeance, and a town’s fragile hope for the future.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 15:32

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Gritty desert revenge stories like Inferno

Lone figures seek brutal justice under a harsh, sun-bleached sky.If you liked the harsh desert setting and violent quest for justice in Inferno, you'll find similar movies here. This collection features gritty neo-westerns and revenge dramas where lone protagonists operate outside the law in sun-bleached, hostile environments. These stories share a dark tone, high intensity, and a focus on brutal, hands-on retribution.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a lone wolf protagonist, often a drifter with a painful past, who enters a corrupt or hostile community. A personal tragedy—such as the loss of a friend—triggers a violent, linear quest for revenge. The story unfolds through a series of escalating confrontations, leading to a final, cathartic showdown where justice is delivered at a great personal cost.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared setting—the symbolic and literal emptiness of the desert—coupled with a straightforward revenge plot. They create a cohesive vibe of isolation, sun-scorched tension, and a morally ambiguous brand of justice, making them feel like spiritual siblings in their aesthetic and narrative approach.

Movies with bittersweet revenge endings like Inferno

Violent quests for justice that achieve a goal but leave deep scars.For viewers who appreciated the costly victory and bittersweet ending of Inferno, this thread collects movies where revenge comes with a price. These films feature heavy emotional weight and dark tones, culminating in resolutions that mix justice with grief or sacrifice. If you like stories where the hero wins but is forever changed, explore these titles.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a linear path of vengeance driven by a clear inciting incident. The protagonist engages in a series of violent acts to achieve their goal, often improving the situation for a community or achieving personal closure. However, the conclusion is tempered by the loss of allies, the burden of trauma, or the realization that violence cannot fully heal the original wound, resulting in a poignant, bittersweet resolution.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their specific emotional payoff. They deliver on the visceral thrill of revenge but subvert a purely happy ending by emphasizing the psychological and emotional toll. This shared narrative structure—goal achieved, but at a cost—creates a distinct and resonant viewing experience for audiences seeking stories with depth beyond simple catharsis.

Unlock the Full Story of Inferno

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

Inferno Timeline

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Inferno Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Inferno

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Inferno

Inferno Spoiler-Free Summary

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Inferno Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Inferno

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