Tale of the Mummy

Tale of the Mummy

Year: 1998

Runtime: 88 mins

Language: English

Director: Russell Mulcahy

HorrorAdventureFantasyHorror the undead and monster classicsThrillers and murder mysteries

Centuries ago a vengeful Egyptian prince was interred beneath the desert sands, his tomb sealed with an eternal curse meant to prevent his evil from ever rising again. Hundreds of years later a greedy team of archaeologists breaks the seal in search of treasure; each member vanishes without a trace, leaving only a logbook and a chilling warning about the blood‑thirsty Talos.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Tale of the Mummy 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!

Tale of the Mummy (1998) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Tale of the Mummy (1998), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

In 1948, in Egypt, an archeological dig led by Richard Turkel reaches a tomb identified as Talos’ resting place, marked by warning hieroglyphs that beg visitors to stay away. Despite the ominous signs, the team pries open the chamber and a suffocating cloud of dust blasts outward, turning the archaeologists into brittle figures as they crumble before their eyes. Richard fights to seal the tomb shut, sacrificing himself in a final, desperate act.

Fast forward to 1999, and Samantha Turkel continues the legacy with Burke and Brad among the crew. They break into Talos’ burial chamber and lay eyes on a sarcophagus suspended from the ceiling. Tension spikes when Burke reaches for an amulet, and he falls to his death. Brad is plagued by visions of Talos’ past atrocities and experiences a seizure as the memories overwhelm him.

Nine months later, a planned exhibition of Talos’ sarcophagus is interrupted by a power cut. The container is smashed open and a foreigner is murdered, his eyes removed. Detective Riley is assigned to the case, sensing that the killer will strike again. Talos proceeds to claim more victims, removing organs with a clinical precision that unnerves the investigation.

Riley confronts Sam Turkel, who cautions him that Brad may not be a reliable suspect. Sam explains the heart of Talos’ myth: the followers believed that by removing pieces of his body, they could help him endure rebirth and grant themselves immortality once he returned.

The tale grows darker as Brad reveals more of Talos’ history: Talos was exiled from Greece for sorcery and found love with Nefriama, the Pharaoh’s daughter. A pagan ceremony followed, and when the Pharaoh’s army moved to execute Talos, Nefriama warned him. In a brutal turn, the Pharaoh’s forces caught them and, in a chilling moment, Nefriama was seen consuming Talos’ heart. The followers were slain, including Nefriama herself. Riley speculates that the murdered victims are reincarnations of the Pharaoh’s adherents, and Brad suggests that Sam might be Nefriama’s reincarnation—the key to stopping Talos at the moment of planetary alignment. Brad’s account is cut short when Talos reappears and silences Detective Bartone, followed by Brad.

A reborn Talos closes in on Sam, tracking her to her apartment—but she escapes, only to be captured later after a chilling ruse in which the mummy disguises himself as a dog. Riley, now convinced by Brad’s story, participates in a ritual at a derelict construction site that relies on Brad’s corpse to reveal Sam’s possible location.

Meanwhile, Sam frees herself from restraints and discovers a room where a vast cocoon of gauze harbors the bodies of Talos’ victims. The cocoon hatches, giving birth to the mummy’s true form—Talos—though his heart remains missing.

Riley and his team reach the site with eighteen minutes to spare before the planets align and Talos can reclaim physical immortality. As the team splits, Dr. Claire Mulrooney and the others pursue different leads, while Edith Butros and Professor Marcus become ensnared in Talos’ manipulation. The sequence crescendos as Marcus is drawn into the chaos and Edith Butros is killed by Marcus, a grim moment manipulated by Talos.

Riley locates Sam bound, and Talos closes in. Sam pleads with him to end her life to thwart Talos’ master plan, and he does what is asked by shooting her. Yet the twist unfolds: Riley is revealed to be the reincarnation of Nefriama, and his heart is the target Talos seeks, using Sam to lure him to the right place at the right time. Claire arrives and removes Riley’s heart, which Talos then stores within himself as the planetary alignment completes.

Police arrive to recover four bodies and a distressed Claire. In a final, unsettling beat, the newly reborn Talos is shown in London, disguised as Riley, continuing the threat in a world where myth meets mortal peril.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 09:31

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 Tale of the Mummy

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

Tale of the Mummy Timeline

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

Tale of the Mummy Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Tale of the Mummy

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Tale of the Mummy. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Tale of the Mummy

Tale of the Mummy Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Tale of the Mummy 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.

Tale of the Mummy Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Tale of the Mummy

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Tale of the Mummy: 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 Tale of the Mummy