In this edition of Obscure Movie Reviews, we’ll be talking about my favorite genre, giallo. The agreed upon definition is a stylish murder mystery, but it’s so much more. Starting out as cheap paperbacks, the films quickly showcased a combination of horror and mystery with vibrant colors and disorienting music. It’s not about acting or scriptwriting, but about cinematography, impactful murder scenes and scores ranging from jazzy to downright spooky. In fact, it inspired the slasher film genre!
I’ll be reviewing my all-time favorite, “Deep Red.” Coming out in 1975, this movie was ahead of its time. It’s often considered the best film of influential Italian director, Dario Argento. It deals with a medium who is murdered after she senses a killer at a conference she was part of. Pianist Marcus Daly (David Hemmings) witnesses the murder and sees something at the scene that he can’t figure out. He enlists the help of Gianna (Daria Nicolodi), a crime scene photographer, to investigate.
The film looks gorgeous. The sets are beautiful and the cinematography is outstanding. One standout scene is when a victim is jump-scared by a creepy doll placed by the killer. There are many murder scenes that are not for the faint of heart, however the blood used is deliberately unrealistic.
The cast is good in their roles, especially the supporting characters, all with eccentricities; from a little girl who likes to kill lizards to a mother who was a former actress. The film is notable for featuring a queer relationship (supposedly), but that is left unclear. The acting borders on the melodramatic at points, which only adds to its charm.
The script is well-thought out, with a growing relationship between the two main characters. One moment that stands out is when Marcus is challenged by Gianna after he explains his (untrue!) views on women, stating they are weaker than men. It is satisfying as the pianist is put in his place as the movie continues, especially after Gianna saves him on multiple occasions.
It is worth noting that “Deep Red” was one of the less “objectifying” films of the time period, as it disagrees with Marcus’s beliefs and doesn’t exploit women or people under the queer umbrella.
It is also worth exploring the use of symbolism in this film. A main object featured in the film is dolls. They make frequent appearances, seeming to torment the characters.
Overall, this film has something for everyone (except those afraid of blood!) The cinematography is divine, the scares are there, and the score is magnificent. If you want to watch the film, you can find it on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, and Shudder. With a score of 9.5/10, I highly recommend this movie!