Phenomena
Directed by Dario Argento
During her first night at boarding school, Jennifer witnesses a horrible murder while sleepwalking. After digging deeper into the crime, Jennifer meets a professor who uncovers her psychic connection to insects, and encourages her to use her strange gift to catch the killer. Dario Argento’s sci-fi spin on his iconic giallo style has divided fans since its’ release but for us, its squirmy pleasures have only deepened. Beyond the bugs, maggots and monkeys, it’s a creepy-crawly must-see, especially for Connelly’s fearless performance.
A girl with a psychic connection to insects must use her gift to catch a killer.
Cast: Jennifer Connelly, Donald Pleasence, Daria Nicolodi
Member Reviews
PHENOMENA-L!
I really enjoyed it.
Was okay, but I expected more from this "classic".
Argento’s last great film before he turned into whatever he turned into.
I watched this film after watching The People Under the Stairs because I believe this film was an influence on that one. The pit of human remains in the basement filled with maggots for one thing, but also the set up that lady has in her house to close everything up with a button, as well as intergenerational madness. Wes Craven was, I believe, highly influenced by Argento in the way that he incorporates a "throw everything at the wall" mentality as well the most bizarre settings and plot lines. I also want to point out that Argento likely took influence in this film from Friday the 13th with that end scene (the one with the glass, not sure if that one's only in the director's cut) and the deformed child. It is always so fun to trace the influences of one filmmaker upon another, and this is also just an incredible film.