Tenebre Reviews

Tenebre marked a return to traditional giallo mode for Argento, departing from the surreal, colorful world of witches and alchemy. Which means we have here a pretty straight forward slasher giallo, but the big difference is the blood and gore level has been turned up quite considerably. And that is where Argento truly shines in Tenebre. It's certainly not without its faults, The story is boring and plodding for the most part, its got some of the most horrendous dubbing I've ever heard in my life. But let's be real, that's not why we watch Argento films. We watch them to see beautiful women hacked up with creativity, style, and bravura. And boy does this film boast quite a plethora of lusty Italian beauties. The exquisite apartment camera work and the ax wielding finale are the high water marks. Ultimately not the maestro's best, but still better than most slashers of it's time.

Argento score card:
Blood - 10
Scares - 6
Music - 7
Lusty women - 10
Camera work - 8
Color palette - 2
Crazed animals - 5 (one very determined doberman)

Total score: 48/70

Filmed in 1982 about an American Writer who tours Rome to promote his new book "Tenebre" when a vicious killer links his murders to the writer; as if some sick kind of influence. Taking the murder mystery to next level as he always does, Director Dario Argento Brings back the "Point of View" murders with those two Black gloves everybody loves to see take life. A few twists and turns around Writer Peter Neal's personal life get thrown into play as he spots his ex wife (a New York Resident) in the streets of Italy from time to time; swearing it's her. Giving the viewer that "out for revenge" idea that she might be the person responsible for the murders to tarnish Neal's career. More important than the guesses of who is responsible is the actual murders themselves. Pages from the book get stuffed into victim's mouths, arms get chopped off in an ultraviolent manner with maximum blood projection, and all kinds of other shit that make you're eyes stay on the screen. To be around when this premiered in theaters and to catch a glimpse of viewers leaving in disgust would be a definite to do on my list if i could go back in time. And of course, the ultimate twist to the movie leaves you saying "Ahhh, I get it; the crazy bastard." Enjoy! this movie recently got put onto DVD in a large number, making it a good choice to actually own; guaranteeing you'll watch this one more than once. One of Argento's BEST!!!

Peter Neal: I've been charged, I've tried building a plot the same way you have. I've tried to figure it out; but, I just have this hunch that something is missing, a tiny piece of the jigsaw. Somebody who should be dead is alive, or somebody who should be alive is already dead.
Detective Germani: Explain that.
Peter Neal: You know, there's a sentence in a Conan Doyle book, "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."