Dario Argento’s giallo classic is still a true masterpiece of atmosphere and visual splendor. Jessica Harper makes an effective horror heroine here, strong-headed and individualistic (much as she was in 1974’s “Phantom of the Paradise”), but the real stars of the movie are Argento’s color palette and the score by The Goblins – the alternating red hues featured throughout the movie truly stand out and effectively set the scene for many visually striking scenes, while the score gets under the viewer’s skin even after countless viewings, thanks to a striking aural quality that makes watching the movie feel like you’re watching someone’s nightmare unfurl before your eyes. While the story itself is a bit muddled and the movie is clumsily edited and dubbed, the movie’s fragmented elements add a certain hypnotic, surreal feel to the proceedings, and the atmosphere is so powerful and memorable that the movie becomes an emotional experience that transcends genre and medium.
Rating: ★★★★★ (out of 5)
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