The Aztec Mummy

The Aztec Mummy

Year: 1957

Runtime: 80 mins

Language: Spanish

Director: Rafael Portillo

Horror

A scientist discovers through hypnosis a mummy who watches over the jewels of an Aztec god for all eternity.

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The Aztec Mummy (1957) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of The Aztec Mummy (1957), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Dr. Eduardo Almada, a scientist with controversial views on hypnosis and past lives, presents his theories before a panel of neuropsychiatrists and is met with heavy skepticism. Realizing he needs solid proof to convince others, he reluctantly decides to conduct an experiment on his fiancée, Flor Sepúlveda, who volunteers.

Unbeknownst to the couple, they are watched by a master criminal known as The Bat, Almada’s intellectual rival, who follows their work closely. Under hypnosis, Flor reveals her past life as the ancient Aztec woman Xochitl, chosen to be sacrificed to Tezcatlipoca. Before the ceremony, Xochitl is found in a romantic embrace with the warrior Popoca and is severely punished. Popoca, deemed to have corrupted the sacred maiden, is buried alive and cursed to guard two sacred relics—a golden breastplate and an armband that function as keys to a vast hidden treasure. Xochitl herself is sacrificed and buried in the same tomb beside her lover.

Seeing the potential proof, Almada vows to locate Xochitl’s tomb and recover the relics, gathering several scientists to join him. Guided by Flor’s memories, the team uncovers the tomb’s entrance, descends into its burial chambers, and uncovers Xochitl’s bones and the artifacts. They retrieve the breastplate and depart, not realizing Popoca has reanimated and is following them.

Back in Mexico City, Almada presents his discovery to the scientists, and the group discovers hieroglyphics etched on the breastplate describing a vast treasure that can be unlocked using the armband. Before they can pursue the treasure, Popoca attacks. The Bat’s henchmen attempt to seize the breastplate at Flor’s house, but Popoca slaughters them and abducts Flor, recognizing her as the reincarnation of Xochitl.

Popoca makes his way back to the tomb, intending to sacrifice Flor to Tezcatlipoca in order to end his curse of immortality. Almada confronts him, holding the mummy at bay with a crucifix while Flor is rescued. Popoca lunges toward them, but seems to perish when Dr. Sepúlveda sacrifices himself by igniting nearby dynamite, collapsing the entire tomb onto both of them.

Free from her past self, Flor returns to civilization with Almada. The pair expose Krupp as The Bat, and Krupp is arrested.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 10:50

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Aztec Mummy

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Aztec Mummy

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