Overview
A haunting exploration of love and betrayal set against the backdrop of aristocratic decadence.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- haunting
- sensual
- oppressive
- arthouse cinema night
- classic film evening
What critics said
Critics broadly regard Visconti's final film as a visually sumptuous and disciplined late-period drama with a powerful critique of masculine vanity, despite reservations about the story and some performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The Hermils' country palace and aristocratic circle frame the film's examination of chauvinism, possession, and sexual double standards.
Tullio's possessive lust and inability to accept reciprocal sexual freedom make self-deception the central psychological conflict.
The husband applies radically different moral rules to his wife's sexuality and his own affairs.
The aristocratic palace, formal social spaces, and disciplined cinematography emphasize sensual luxury alongside psychological corrosion.
Films like The Innocent, and why
The Leopard
shared aristocratic milieu, erotic tension, social hypocrisy, and sumptuous period melodrama
A Dangerous Method
shared turn-of-the-century European setting, marital betrayal, and psychologically severe romantic drama
The Age of Innocence
shared aristocratic sexual politics, emotional repression, and destructive romantic entanglements
The Conformist
shared Italian period setting, sensual decadence, and critique of masculine vanity
Movie Details
- Director
- Luchino Visconti
- Release Date
- 1976-05-18
- Runtime
- 130 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (130)
Cast
- Giancarlo Giannini
- Laura Antonelli
- Rina Morelli
- Massimo Girotti
- Didier Haudepin
- Marie Dubois
- Roberta Paladini
- Claude Mann
- Marc Porel
- Jennifer O'Neill
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Innocent about?
- In a sumptuous turn-of-the-century aristocratic world, a possessive husband’s sexual entitlement curdles marriage, desire, and self-image into tragedy.
- What is The Innocent like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Innocent as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Innocent violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Innocent as mild.
- What did critics think of The Innocent?
- Critics broadly regard Visconti's final film as a visually sumptuous and disciplined late-period drama with a powerful critique of masculine vanity, despite reservations about the story and some performances.
- Which films are like The Innocent?
- Films with a similar feel include The Leopard, A Dangerous Method, The Age of Innocence, and The Conformist.
- How long is The Innocent?
- The Innocent runs 130 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Innocent?
- In United States, The Innocent is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
