Antonella Vitale, Barbara Cupisti, Coralina Cataldi-Tassoni

When the leading diva of Verdi's "Macbeth" is run over by a car, her understudy, Betty (Cristina Marsillach), takes over the role. Things go from bad to worse when the madman begins to kill other memb...( read more  read more... )ers of the cast -- and forces Betty to watch. The finale in this exercise in baroque horror from the mind of frightmeister Dario Argento stems from an incident in Betty's childhood that links her to the killer.

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79% liked it

5,895 ratings

Critics

83% liked it

12 critics

Unrated, 107 min.

Directed by: Dario Argento

Release Date: January 1, 1987

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DVD Release Date: October 30, 2001

Stats: 357 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (357)


  • September 19, 2009
    This shit is THE dumbest. Dario Argento's vision of the movie he wanted to create was ruefully flawed, mired in utterly implausible plot points that are essentially impossible to foster in reality. Of course, he tries anyway, and what results is possibly the dumbest horror movie ...( read more)heroine of all time: Betty. Ugh, THIS BITCH. I've never seen someone in a movie make so many poor choices. She could have ended the ordeal within twenty minutes of the movie starting, but no, she just has to wander the streets arbitrarily instead of calling the police. When someone asks her why she hasn't called then, she half-heartedly tells them she can't for no reason at all! She watches her friends get shot, stabbed and bludgeoned time after time, and is only incapacitated for two of them; for the rest of the deaths she's merely crippled by her own blinding stupidity. Making matters worse, Cristina Marsillach couldn't act her way out of a paper bag and it's clear that she was only cast because she looks sort of cool singing opera. She's not even that attractive, if you're into that kind of thing.

    You know, I wouldn't really have much of a problem with Argento stringing together some inventive kills with an abstract plot, but this is really trying to sell itself as a viable thriller. It did get me thinking about the studio/auteur divide, and whether or not Argento was told to add some sort of concrete substance to this film to make it more marketable (the hunt for the murderer, equally ridiculous and dull). Somehow, though, I don't think this is the case. It has all the hallmarks of a typical Argento plot, such as the imposition of high art in the narrative in a desperate attempt to class up the otherwise trashy proceedings. It's all right to anchor a movie to a plot that isn't too great if the rest of the content is worthwhile, but it's another thing entirely to stick it on something that is offensively dumb. Of course the movie looks great - it's the one thing that Argento can do consistently - but it all works in the service of a movie that is just numbingly awful.
  • February 10, 2009
    As is usual with Argento, if you don't expect much in the story/character department, you will find a great film.

    Argento creates some of his best visuals with this film. From the beginning in the raven's eye to the bullet in the eye, this film is made for eyes. The pins taped b...( read more)eneath the eyes is a cruel and incredible plot detail (the murderer forces the opera singer to watch the murders using them).

    I really like how the score switches between opera and power metal because IMO metal is the modern equivalent of opera in terms of theatrics, emphasis on power in musicality, and social groups that surround the genre to praise and celebrate it.

    As I said, there's nothing special about the story and anyone will be able to guess the killer. Like any Argento I've seen, this is all about visuals and that's why this gets a 4 star rating.
  • June 24, 2008
    Worth seeing for the slow mo bullet through the eye shot alone.

    Overall very effective and enjoyable., but marred by a ridiculous ending. The acting and story are also a little shoddy at times, but that's par for the course in this sub genre.

    Argento's moving camera in this f...( read more)ilm is stunning. Easily on par with Scorcese & Ballhau's and Coen & Levinson's work.
  • June 2, 2008
    As usual with Argento, the plot is pointless, but also as usual with him there are some very creative camera angles and killing scenes.
  • January 16, 2008
    My favorite Argento film. Some truely memorable (horror) movie moments and a not too shaby story line.
  • November 23, 2009
    may be dated, but this film has some of the frightening thoughts and synopsis i've seen in a movie--of course, what else but from dario argento
  • October 15, 2009
    A truly monstrous and deeply sick horror masterpiece.
  • August 22, 2009
    Stylish, but pointless in terms of story. There is not a single character in this movie that acts like a human being. The female lead witness brutal killings and just goes about her day like nothing happens. There is no sense of verisimilitude present in this movie.
  • August 9, 2009
    Argento's most balanced film since The Bird With the Crystal Plumage.

    ...
  • May 6, 2009
    Argentos giallo is like a film of his greatest hits. This film is loaded with style. And the slo-mo bullet in his ex wifes eye is something to behold.
    This is the only film were he uses a heavy metal soundtrack and its not distracting.

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