Phenomena
Directed by Dario Argento
During her first night at boarding school, Jennifer witnesses a horrible murder while sleepwalking. After digging deeper into the crime, Jennifer meets a professor who uncovers her psychic connection to insects, and encourages her to use her strange gift to catch the killer. Dario Argento’s sci-fi spin on his iconic giallo style has divided fans since its’ release but for us, its squirmy pleasures have only deepened. Beyond the bugs, maggots and monkeys, it’s a creepy-crawly must-see, especially for Connelly’s fearless performance.
A girl with a psychic connection to insects must use her gift to catch a killer.
Cast: Jennifer Connelly, Donald Pleasence, Daria Nicolodi
Member Reviews
Inspired the Clock Tower video game and a bit of the movie Mandy as well. Dario Argento, Jennifer Connelly. Worth a watch.
It's like a child wrote the plot, and I mean that in the best way possible. Utterly, charmingly crazy. No, you won't guess who the killer is unless you have a head injury. Motorhead plays on the soundtrack.
This is so rad, but also so batshit!
The giallo film that inspired the Clock Tower video game
This is such a different film than what I expected it to be. When I read the synopsis for this film, I had a feeling it was going to have more of a science fiction element than it was going to have the horror element, but Dario found a way to sneak in his usual shenanigans and still give us a wonderfully constructed fantasy film about a girl who can always call on bugs to save her from certain death. Films like this one could really benefit from a good sequel. Not a remake or a shallow sequel that is made solely for profit, I'm talking about a really passionate story with a return of the characters (namely Jennifer Connelly's character) and see what new adventures will await. So yeah. 4½ skulls.