The Lower Depths

The Lower Depths

Year: 1937

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: Spanish

Director: Pedro Puche

DramaCrime

A melodrama telling the story of Ricardo, a young bourgeois who flees from justice for a crime of passion. It was made during the Spanish Civil War.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Lower Depths 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 – The Lower Depths (1937)

Trace every key event in The Lower Depths (1937) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Bankruptcy and the meeting with Pépel

A wealthy baron loses his fortune to gambling and contemplates suicide. He discovers his gun is missing and confronts the thief Pépel, who plans to rob him. Instead, they share a lighthearted drink between colleagues, and the two men become friends.

Evening after the gambling loss Baron's home
2

Pépel leaves with a sculpture; creditors strike

The baron allows Pépel to leave with a bronze sculpture, setting in motion the baron's slide into debt. Creditors seize the baron’s household furnishings as his debts come due. The baron tells his servant Félix that he hopes Félix's stolen wages will cover his unpaid wages, and Félix agrees.

Soon after the initial encounter Baron's home; creditors' offices
3

Pépel's arrest and the 'dear friend' twist

Pépel is arrested for stealing the bronze. The baron arrives at the station and identifies Pépel as a 'dear friend', complicating the police narrative and binding the two together in complicity.

Shortly after the sculpture incident Police station
4

Move to the slums and a new lodger

The story shifts to life in the slums, where men argue at cards and mock a woman who reads romances. The baron becomes a lodger in the slums, and Pépel helps set him up with a bed. The baron joins the local card game, adjusting to his new surroundings.

Soon after the arrest Slums
5

Inspector meets Kostylev and Natasha

The police inspector meets the slum landlord Kostylev and fixes his gaze on Kostylev's wife’s sister Natasha. This encounter foreshadows the inspector's involvement with Natasha and the simmering tensions in the slum.

Early in the slum chapter Kostylev's dwelling in the slums
6

Pépel and Vassilissa; a deadly suggestion

Pépel speaks with Vassilissa; he laments that he never loved her but recalls their good times. She urges him to kill her husband, the old and mean landlord, signaling the dangerous path ahead.

Early Slums
7

Mourning, and Natasha's resolve to leave

A neighbor's mourning scene underscores the bleak mood of the slum. Pépel tells Natasha she should go with him, but she answers that she will leave for a man with a job, not a thief. The tension between love and survival grows.

Mid-morning to afternoon Slum
8

Bribery schemes and Natasha's date

The inspector and Natasha dine indoors while others outside celebrate to a band. Natasha resists the inspector's advances, and she remains wary of the life he promises. The inspector ultimately invites Natasha on a date, and she hints at a potential better life.

Evening Indoors in the slum; surrounding area
9

Riverbank reflections and plans to escape

Pépel and the baron discuss life along the river bank; Pépel believes only leaving with Natasha could save him from a future prison. The riverbank setting frames their reflections on fate and escape.

Evening Riverbank
10

Night confrontation: Natasha, Pépel, and the inspector

The inspector and Natasha dine indoors while those outside celebrate to the band. Natasha resists the inspector’s advances. Pépel is pursued by Vassilissa among the revelers. He finds Natasha drunkenly enjoying the inspector's company, and a scuffle drives him to take Natasha away as the inspector calls for help. In the end, Pépel and Natasha confess their love for each other.

Night Indoor dining room and exterior areas
11

Kostylev and Vassilissa push reconciliation, then the brawl

Kostylev and Vassilissa push Natasha to reconcile with the inspector. They beat Natasha in front of the whole lodger community. Pépel intervenes and the lodgers rally to attack Kostylev, resulting in Kostylev's death with no clear culprit.

During the brawl Kostylev's dwelling in the slum
12

Pépel's arrest and the crowd's verdict

Police arrive to find Pépel comforting Natasha and take him away. The baron tries to minimize the incident as a simple brawl, while others declare that 'the lower depths killed him', spreading guilt through the crowd.

Immediately after the fight Slum police station
13

Epilogue: departure and tragedy abroad

Vassilissa leaves the slum, Natasha helps Pépel return from prison, and the resident known as 'the actor' commits suicide. Natasha and Pépel set off on the road with only a few possessions, leaving behind the slum life.

After the arrest From the slum to the road; the actor's locale

Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 08:15

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 The Lower Depths

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

The Lower Depths Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Lower Depths, 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.

The Lower Depths Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Lower Depths

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Lower Depths

More About The Lower Depths

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Lower Depths: 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 The Lower Depths

Similar Movies to The Lower Depths

Discover movies like The Lower Depths 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.