Released: 31 January 1985 (Italy), August 2, 1985 (United States)
Dario Argento’s ‘Phemomena’ (released in the US as ‘Creepers’) is another creative supernatural suspense film. In this bizarre take on the typical giallo, the requisite mysterious killer must contend not with the wits of a detective, but the animal assistance of a chimp assistant and the empathic connection to insects possessed by Jennifer Connelly. Donald Pleasance delivers a heartfelt performance that makes you sad to see him fall under the killer’s knife.
Though the editing and story stutters at times, and the musical score featuring Sex Gang Children is ridiculously forced, the shock of hearing them in a horror film subdues the need for finer criticism. Aside from a similar instance with Iron Maiden and Motörhead, the soundtrack is tended by regular Argento collaborators, Goblin, with Bill Wyman and Simon Boswell in tow. Fans are treated to creative deaths, vibrantly red gore, and several other nasties that don’t disappoint those who come to pray at the shrine of Argento. It doesn’t rank above other Argento films like Profondo Rosso or Suspiria, but it is a film where he’s come into his own and experimenting with his horizons – well worth a watch.
Director: Dario Argento
Stars: Jennifer Connelly, Donald Pleasence, Daria Nicolodi and with Michele Soavi
“A young girl who has an amazing ability to communicate with insects is transferred to an exclusive Swiss boarding school, where her unusual capability might help solve a string of murders.” [IMDb]
IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087909/
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenomena_(film)
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Summary: Released 31 January 1985 (Italy), Dario Argento’s ‘Phemomena’ (released in the US as ‘Creepers’) is another creative supernatural suspense film. In this bizarre take on the typical giallo, the requisite mysterious killer must contend not with the wits of a detective, but the animal assistance of a chimp assistant and the empathic connection to insects possessed by Jennifer Connelly. The soundtrack is tended by regular Argento collaborators, Goblin, Bill Wyman and Simon Boswell, and Sex Gang Children.