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Overall Rating : 7/10
Directed By : Dario Argento
Anthony Franciosa (Death Wish II)
John Saxon (A Nightmare on Elm Street)
Daria Nicolodi (Phenomena)
John Steiner (Caligula)
Supplied By : Anchor Bay Entertainment
Film Reviewed By : Rick L. Blalock
Date Reviewed : May. 21, 2008
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| PLOT An American mystery novelist on a promotional tour in Rome finds that his most recent book has inspired a copycat serial killer. When the psychotic impulse becomes irresistible, does freedom await in the simple act of annihilation? |
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| THE REVIEW In TENEBRE, Peter Neal. is a well known Novelist. But it turns out that he is most popular in Europe. So in turn, Peter, his agent, Bullmer, and the rest of his crew head over there to participate in a book tour to support his latest book entitled "TENEBRAE"(it's spelled this way on the books themselves, and not in the film's title (?) ), which has been deemed quite controversial. Not long after Neal arrives, he finds himself swept up into an investigation of a serial killer, when the killer sends a letter to Neal claiming that his book. "TENEBRAE" has inspired him to kill. As the bodies keep piling up, it's revealed that the killer, who in the beginning wields a razor as his kill weapon, mimicking the actions and mannerisms of the killer from Neal's book. As the investigation continues, capturing this killer seems to be no easy task, as those who come close to having an answer, end up dead as well. With few people remaining, Peter Neal seems to be the killer's next target. It leaves us to wonder, will Peter make it out of Europe alive, or is the answer to this mystery closer to Neal than we could have ever imagined? Director Dario Argento, with this project, decided to change it up a bit and go in a different direction. Here, with TENEBRE, instead of presenting us with just another Horror story. he gives us a thrilling Horror mystery. TENEBRE is a film that is less concerned with scaring you and more about thrilling and shocking you in that "real" since of Horror - it is essentially a flat-out murder/serial killer mystery, keeping the blood and gore of a slasher still intact. Argento, one time was hailed as being "The Italian Hitchcock". and if there was one of his films that would validate that title, it would be TENEBRE. I must admit that I haven't watched much Hitchcock, but I have seen enough to know his style of shooting. I am also a huge fan of Brian DePalma. whom himself is a Hitchcock fan and is often inspired in his own work. If you compare TENEBRE, to anything DePalma has done, I saw hints of DRESSED TO KILL and OBSESSION(which was a direct homage to Hitchcock's VERTIGO) here. I found the ending of TENEBRE to be reminiscent of the shocking style of VERTIGO and OBSESSION as well. I liked this film because it isn't the type of Horror film that is straight-forward and in your face. For the most all of the film our killer is never seen, all we see are his gloved hands, and his body draped in a long black coat. I have always been one to say that I prefer this style, I think it is that much effective when we don't identify with a killer, killers to me are just far more scarier when we know little about them(This is why i'm so on the fence about Rob Zombie's HALLOWEEN). Here in TENEBRE not seeing the killer makes his kills that much more shocking, and in the distinct Italian style, some are quite shocking and unexpected. It's funny, because I mentioned that the plot to TENEBRE is more thriller oriented, but this film has more gore than the previous Argento film I reviewed, PHENOMENA, which was indeed more of a Horror film - but Argento manages to keep an equal balance of thrills and spills within his serious script. Speaking of the script, TENEBRE was written really well and fluently, it's as if Dario knew exactly what he was going for and mad it happen, it's smart, witty, and even a bit funny....it's one that will definitely have you thinking. The acting for this particular film was good for what it is. I know that some of the supporting actors, acted a bit wooden. But has for the main characters, Anthony Franciosa, whom has the most developed character here as Author Peter Neal, does a great job in making the character realistic. Neal's agent Bullmer played by the always great John Saxon....honestly, I have liked everything I have seen him in. This film is no different, as even though the character is kind of limited here, Saxon pull out another great showing. Overall, TENEBRE is a well developed film, especially for a film made at the time it was. It has a story that should keep you watching, guessing and most of all, keep you involved with what's going on. A Dario Argento 5 movie collection Boxset containing : PHENOMENA. TENEBRE, THE CARD PLAYER, DO YOU LIKE HITCHCOCK? and TRUAMA, will be released the same day as the single releases of PHENOMENA and TENEBRE. Unfortunately I did not receive the whole set due to the high demand that ANCHOR BAY received. |
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| GORE
METER 6.5/10 Slit throats and slashings with a razor, impalements, stabbings and severed body parts, |
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| MUSICAL
SCORE 5.5/10 Not as good as SUSPIRIA OR PHENOMENA's score, but still good nonetheless(the same guy was involved with all of them) |
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| OVERALL
IMPRESSION OF THE FILM When I first went into TENEBRE, I was expecting the same type of Argento Horror film that i'm accustomed to and love, but with this one, I got something different. And as it turns out, I loved it! TENEBRE is a mystery/thriller sure, but it still have the same style and shocks that the Director is known for. TENEBRE is a film that i'd say is Dario Argento's most technically best. This DVD will be released on May 27, 2008 |
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