Oedipus Rex

Year: 1967

Runtime: 104 mins

Language: Italian

Drama

Pasolini renders the classic tragedy with stark, lyrical intensity. Set against pre‑war Italy, a jealous father abandons his newborn son, who is rescued and raised as Oedipus by the king and queen of Corinth. An oracle foretells that he will kill his father and marry his mother; horrified, he flees, only to unknowingly slay his real father on the road, fulfilling the doomed prophecy.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Oedipus Rex 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 – Oedipus Rex (1967)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Oedipus Rex (1967). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:37

Main Characters – Oedipus Rex (1967)

Meet the key characters of Oedipus Rex (1967), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:37

Major Themes – Oedipus Rex (1967)

Explore the central themes of Oedipus Rex (1967), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:37

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.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Fatalistic Tragedies Like Oedipus Rex

Stories where characters are helplessly pulled towards a devastating, predetermined fate.If you were captivated by the relentless march of fate in Oedipus Rex, explore these other movies about tragic prophecies and inescapable doom. These stories share a bleak tone and heavy emotional weight, focusing on characters whose attempts to avoid their destiny only seal it.

fatalistictragicoppressivedoomedmythicsomberdesolate

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows a character who learns of a horrible prophecy concerning their future. In trying to avert this fate, they make a series of choices that inadvertently fulfill the prediction step by step. The structure is often linear and steady, building tension through dramatic irony as the audience sees the doom approaching long before the character does.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their core focus on fate versus free will, resulting in a uniformly bleak tone and sad endings. They share a high emotional intensity and a steady, deliberate pacing that allows the weight of the prophecy to settle, creating a powerful and oppressive viewing experience.

Identity Crisis Dramas With Revelations Like Oedipus Rex

Character-driven stories where a profound truth about one's origin leads to ruin.For viewers who appreciated the devastating identity reveal in Oedipus Rex, this collection features similar movies about shattering personal discoveries. These films often involve a search for truth that leads back to the protagonist themselves, blending drama with elements of mystery and tragedy.

psychologicaltragicinvestigativeshatteringguilt-riddensolemnrevelatory

Narrative Summary

The narrative unfolds as a detective story turned inward. A protagonist, often in a position of power or seeking normalcy, is compelled to investigate a disruptive event (a plague, a murder, a disappearance). Their quest for answers methodically unravels a hidden past, ultimately revealing that they are personally responsible for the central calamity or that their fundamental identity is a horrific fiction.

Why These Movies?

These movies are united by their focus on the theme of identity crisis and the catastrophic impact of self-discovery. They share a high-tension, psychologically heavy vibe, a steady pacing that allows the mystery to unfold deliberately, and endings that are fundamentally tragic due to the nature of the revelation.

Unlock the Full Story of Oedipus Rex

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

Oedipus Rex Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Oedipus Rex, 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.

Oedipus Rex Timeline

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

Oedipus Rex Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Oedipus Rex that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

More About Oedipus Rex

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

Similar Movies to Oedipus Rex

Discover movies like Oedipus Rex 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.