Review of Phenomena (1985) by Kevin G — 01 Mar 2008

An extremely weird movie....even for Dario Argento. This one mixes elements of his supernatural and straight giallo films into one bloody, atmospheric, bizarre, bug-fest. Jennifer Connelly (in her first starring role) plays a young girl who can communicate with insects, while the always terrific Donald Pleasence plays a bug specialist who helps her understand her gift.

Together they try and use her abilities to track down a serial killer who's been abducting girls from the private school Connelly's character attends. I can't even begin to make you understand how weird this movie is, because obviously I don't want to give anything away.

But between Argento's amazing visuals, the brutal violence, the crazy things they get bugs to do, and Claudio Simonetti's bizarre, driving, electronic score.....your in for one hell of a ride.

Of course the script is full of holes and the dubbed supporting actors are cheesy, but none of that really matters once your swept up in all the insanity. It's not quite on the same level as Suspiria or Tenebre, but this is still definitely one of Argento's best and has to be seen to be believed.