The animation Dante's Inferno: An Animated Epic tells the story of Dante as he embarks on an incredible journey through the nine circles of Hell. In search of his beloved, he must pass through limbo, lust, gluttony, greed, anger, heresy, violence, fraud, and betrayal. Based on the books of Dante Alighieri.
First, I have to say that the visual style of the animation is surreal. Growing up watching everything from anime to Western cartoons, Dante’s Inferno is a different experience from what I'm used to. Each of the circles of Hell that Dante traverses has its own unique style. You can tell that each section was directed by a different team, with the visuals shifting as he moves from one circle to another. While this keeps things interesting, it can also make viewers feel a bit disoriented like channel-surfing through chaos. But ultimately, this variation works, throwing you right into the heart of Hell’s madness.
And what chaos it is! Dante Alighieri’s story is essentially one of self-discovery and redemption, but this animated adaptation turns it into a visually-driven, action-packed journey. Now, if you’ve played the popular game Dante’s Inferno, you'll immediately notice the parallels. Both depict a man’s journey through the horrors of Hell, but while the game leans into intense action, the animation attempts to stay closer to the original poem (within reason, of course). That said, being an epic animation, it adds a hefty dose of action scenes to keep viewers engaged.
Speaking of characters, Dante is a deeply nuanced protagonist. He’s not a typical action hero who wins after obtaining some "mysterious power." He’s a flawed man, burdened by guilt and regret, trying to right what he believes he’s done wrong. Each encounter with the souls in Hell feels like a reminder of what he did or what he fears becoming. Then there’s Virgil, the “voice of reason” and guide a sort of “spiritual mentor” who adds a philosophical touch to the story. Honestly, he’s a character I’d like to see explored more, as he’s almost like Dante’s conscience, and their dialogues are rich.
At times, though, some of the language is a bit vague in meaning.
Trailer below.
An interesting aspect is how the animation addresses each sin in the different circles of Hell, in a way, serving as a critique of human nature itself how far we’re willing to go to satisfy our desires and to pursue power, pleasure, or whatever drives us. The game addresses these themes too, but in a more visceral, brutal way. In the game Dante’s Inferno, you physically control the character, fighting demons and monsters. In the animation, however, the struggle feels more internal, more psychological. It’s as if each scene represents a part of Dante’s soul being tested and torn apart.
One thing I found amazing was the way they represented the landscapes of Hell. Each circle is a twisted version of reality with a unique, torturous atmosphere. The animation captures this in a nearly hypnotic way, with heavy visuals and symbolism that sometimes require a second glance to fully understand.
The game has its merits here too: in Dante’s Inferno, the settings are filled with macabre details, almost reminiscent of the dark style we see in God of War.
In the animation, though, you’re made to feel a bit of discomfort and maybe even some compassion for the condemned, whereas in the game, it’s more “let’s keep fighting.”
For those who enjoy exploring how humans deal with regret and the quest for redemption, Dante’s Inferno is a literal plunge into the underworld, both the game and the animation. Even though it’s a fictional work, it still brings some very raw truths about the human condition.
