In 1930s Italy, a man named Marcello Clerici tries to leave behind his turbulent past and find his place in society as a model citizen. Marcello, who has struggled with his inner turmoil and a dysfunctional family environment, is drawn to fascist ideology, which promises him stability and belonging. As he aligns himself with the regime, his life becomes intertwined with a darker approach to politics and power.
Preparing for his wedding to Giulia, a woman who embodies the conformity he so craves, Marcello receives a mission: to assassinate a former professor who opposes fascism and has sought refuge in Paris. This journey not only confronts him with his morality but also leads him to rethink his decisions and his identity. Amid political intrigues, Marcello encounters a changing society, personal betrayals, and his own internal struggle about what it truly means to be part of something larger.
As he navigates the labyrinths of loyalty and betrayal, the protagonist faces an inevitable fate that blends passion, violence, and a profound reflection on conformity. In a journey filled with tension and contradictions, the film explores the price of conformity in times of repression and the search for identity in a world that seems to be moving aimlessly. A visually striking masterpiece that challenges the viewer to question their own morality.