Ivan Okhlobystin’s "Down House," a summary

The screenplay for "Down House" was written by Ivan Okhlobystin in the late 1990s. It is a grotesque, blackly humorous adaptation of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s classic novel "The Idiot." The action is set in the absurd realities of Moscow life at the time, with its new Russians, criminal bosses, and club culture. The most striking feature of the text is its original blend of high literary style with the characters’ paradoxical antics and gangster slang.

The text was adapted into a highly successful film in 2001 by director Roman Kachanov. The film of the same name quickly became a household name, and it achieved cult status among audiences, becoming a truly remarkable cinematic phenomenon of its time, forever remembered by Russian audiences.

The Return of the Prince

The events begin on a state-of-the-art bus traveling from Geneva to Moscow. Prince Lev Nikolayevich Myshkin is returning to his homeland after a lengthy stay at Dr. Schneider’s Swiss clinic. The journey is surreal: a buxom nurse administers enemas to passengers in search of the stolen diamonds from the crown of William the Great, while a cow flies through the air outside the window. Along the way, the prince meets the businessman Parfyon Rogozhin and the cunning official Lebedev. Parfyon passionately tells his fellow passengers of his mad love for Nastasya Filippovna.

Official Lebedev shares his plans to resolve his housing issue in Mytishchi with his ex-wife. Upon learning of Rogozhin’s immense wealth, Lebedev immediately offers his legal services to the newly minted millionaire. Prince Myshkin listens humbly, noting that his own life was far less eventful.

Meeting the Epanchins

Upon arrival, Myshkin pays a visit to General Yepanchin and his wife, Lizaveta Prokofyevna. The general’s wife immediately asks, "Are you a drug addict, perhaps?" Myshkin politely replies that he has no need for illegal drugs. He prefers to breed blue and red aquarium fish and has an official certificate of sanity. In the winter garden, he meets the Yepanchins’ daughters: Alexandra, Adelaida, and Aglaya. The youngest, Aglaya, is charmed by the prince’s sincerity, calling him as honest as a fireman. She also compliments his taste in music and his tape recorder, which plays house music.

At the Yepanchins’ house, the prince meets his secretary, Gavriil Ardalionovich Ivolgin. Ganya, for convenience, is to marry Nastasya Filippovna. This woman had been raised from an early age at his state-owned dacha by the influential oligarch Totsky. Totsky attempted to cultivate her cultural development: they meditated together in the lotus position and played golf. The businessman himself now plans to marry Alexandra Yepanchin for her dowry — a huge refrigeration plant.

Scandal and matchmaking

Myshkin accepts the invitation and temporarily settles into Gani Ivolgin’s apartment. Nastasya Filippovna herself suddenly shows up, sparking a huge scandal among everyone present. Soon, Parfyon Rogozhin and his grim, armed companions burst into the apartment. He brings a substantial sum of cash, openly declaring his intention to buy the proud bride from the bewildered Ivolgin.

The climax of this stage occurs on the evening of Nastasya Filippovna’s birthday party. The guests are entertained by strange conversations, and Ganya nervously awaits her hostess’s final decision regarding their wedding. Rogozhin appears with a huge bag of money. Nastasya Filippovna turns to Myshkin and asks him point-blank whether she should marry Ganya. Lev Nikolayevich advises against it. Overcome with hysterics, she throws the millions she brought into the fireplace and leaves with Parfyon.

A difficult love square

Some time later, Myshkin unexpectedly receives a colossal inheritance and becomes an extremely eligible bachelor. He begins a romantic relationship with Aglaya Epanchina. The two characters constantly find themselves in absurd situations, engage in strange philosophical conversations, and indulge in various excesses. The result is a complex love square between Prince Myshkin, Aglaya, the wayward Nastasya Filippovna, and the obsessive Rogozhin.

Emotional tension reaches its peak during a confrontation between Aglaya and Nastasya Filippovna. The women fiercely clash, showering each other with accusations. After this conflict, Nastasya keeps the prince for herself. A solemn wedding day is set for Myshkin and Nastasya Filippovna. However, right from the altar, the fickle bride runs off to Rogozhin, leaving the prince completely alone.

Horror in Parfyon’s house

The grim finale of the story unfolds in Rogozhin’s house. Myshkin finds Parfyon at the table drinking vodka and eating roast meat. Rogozhin pours the drink, picks up a slice of baked ham, and announces that he shot Nastasya Filippovna. He confesses that, in a fit of passion, he put the barrel of a pistol in her mouth and pulled the trigger. The prince goes into the bedroom to say goodbye to the body.

In the bedroom, Lev Nikolayevich notices the corpse’s missing lower limbs. He returns to the table, and Rogozhin calmly explains that they just ate her legs. Myshkin is not in the least alarmed and asks his friend to wrap up a few pieces for Ganya Ivolgin. Taking the plate with the remains, the prince walks into the rocky desert toward a giant glowing crystal. A flickering message appears on the screen: "Beauty will save the world."