top of page

Oct 12TH: 

 

Phenomena (1985)

Phenomena (1985) 6.9.jpg
Description:

Phenomena is a 1985 Italian horror movie directed by Dario Argento. 

 

A girl named Jennifer (Jennifer Connelly from Requiem for a Dream (2000)) transfers to a Swiss boarding school from America where she discovers she has the power to control insects. 

Review:

I was expecting some great things since Dario Argento is one of my favorite directors, but this movie was bad.

1_P_WickedHorror.jpg

Right from the beginning, the editing felt quick and choppy. The first girl shown had the most annoying scream that lasted for far too long and there's a slow-mo scene where her head breaks through some glass that felt completely unnecessary. The acting was extremely stiff and I found my only favorite character was the chimpanzee.

phenomena-chimp.jpg

All I really cared about was the chimpanzee's well being. My favorite scene is when Jennifer and the chimp use what looks like the first ever Acorn Stairlift to go up some stairs. THAT'S IT. This whole movie was boring to me and wasn't scary until the very end.

news-14-08-goblin-phenomena.jpg

The main plot line is that Jennifer sleepwalks one night. This scene involves her walking out of the building, witnessing a murder, falling awkwardly off the building, getting hit by a car, almost sexually assaulted, and then found by a chimp... All in less than ten minutes. It was a series of crazy events coupled with annoyingly loud metal music that never seemed to fit the film.

phenomena-1985-01-1050x445.jpg

Honestly, I lost interest half way through and only finished so I could write this review. The acting was bad, the plot felt disorganized, the music was ridiculous and I wasn't afraid. I liked the way the ending was filmed, but that's the only positive thing I can say. I don't advise watching this, but below are some Argento movies I've enjoyed.

The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970)

Deep Red (1975)

Suspiria (1977)

Opera (1987)

Rating:

4 Acorn Stairlifts out of 10

acorn-stairlifts-alt.jpg
acorn-stairlifts-alt.jpg
acorn-stairlifts-alt.jpg
acorn-stairlifts-alt.jpg
bottom of page