Review of Phenomena (1985) by Chillindylan G — 06 Feb 2015

Written and directed by Dario Argento, who had just given audiences the triple whammy of Suspiria (1977), Inferno (1980) and Tenebrae (1982). His follow-up was just as good, and it's a very creepy murder-mystery.

While it touches upon all the hallmarks and themes which have all been commonplace in many of Argento's films for years, this one has a good cast and a very atmospheric setting. Set in Switzerland, American Jennifer Corvino (Jennifer Connelly) comes to study at the Swiss Richard Wagner Academy for Girls, chaperoned by Frau Brückner (Daria Nicolodi).

However, Jennifer suffers from sleepwalking, and one night she ends up outside the Academy, and ends up being rescued by Scottish forensic entomologist John McGregor (Donald Pleasence), who is curious by her, and her ability to communicate with incests.

Back at the Academy, Jennifer is studied for her sleepwalking by the Academy's Headmistress (Dalila Di Lazzaro), but it makes Jennifer feel very uneasy. However, students at the academy end up dead, and Jennifer is the suspect.

While it may look like a carbon copy of Suspiria on the surface, it's got some good visuals, and a hard rock score by Goblin, Motorhead and Bill Wyman. It's what you've come to expect from Argento's films, although it's far from vintage, it's a good suspenseful thriller with some good ideas on display.