Berberian Sound Studio

Name: Berberian Sound Studio
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Horror
Released: June 14, 2013
Duration: 92 min
Rating: 80
Cast: Antonio Mancino, Chiara D'Anna, Cosimo Fusco, Eugenia Caruso, Guido Adorni

2013

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 22 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 39 Ratings

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6.8

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6.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 39 Ratings

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Berberian Sound Studio

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Movie Details & Credits

IFC Midnight | Release Date: June 14, 2013 | Not Rated

Starring: Antonio Mancino, Chiara D'Anna, Cosimo Fusco, Eugenia Caruso, Guido Adorni, Katalin Ladik, Salvatore LI Causi, Susanna Cappellaro, Toby Jones

Summary: 1976. A mild-mannered British sound engineer named Gilderoy arrives in Rome to work on the post-synchronized soundtrack to The Equestrian Vortex, a tale of witchcraft and murder set inside an all-girl riding academy. But as Gilderoy begins to work on this unexpectedly terrifying project, it's his own mind that holds the real horrors. As the1976. A mild-mannered British sound engineer named Gilderoy arrives in Rome to work on the post-synchronized soundtrack to The Equestrian Vortex, a tale of witchcraft and murder set inside an all-girl riding academy. But as Gilderoy begins to work on this unexpectedly terrifying project, it's his own mind that holds the real horrors. As the line between film and reality blurs, is Gilderoy working on a film - or in one? [IFC Films]… Expand

Director: Peter Strickland

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, Horror

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 92 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

May 10, 2013

Utterly distinctive and all but unclassifiable, a musique concrète nightmare, a psycho-metaphysical implosion of anxiety, with strange-tasting traces of black comedy and movie-buff riffs. It is seriously weird and seriously good. Read full review

100

The Telegraph Robbie Collin

May 10, 2013

It is one of the year’s very best films, a great, rumbling thunderclap of genius. Read full review

Ian Buckwalter

Jun 14, 2013

Strickland's Berberian Sound Studio is one horror film that opts to skip the usual frolic among those metaphorical monsters in favor of a deeply unsettling dive into the subconscious. Read full review

Jamie Graham

May 10, 2013

Strickland’s nuanced, atmospheric, ambiguous movie transcends genre. Read full review

Keith Uhlich

Jun 11, 2013

The creepiness builds with symphonic precision until reality truly is indistinguishable from fantasy. Read full review

Kyle Smith

Jun 13, 2013

A clever, elliptical, slightly bizarre and altogether transfixing psychological thriller. Read full review

Joe Neumaier

Jun 14, 2013

Fans of Dario Argento and Mario Bava will appreciate the references. Even for newcomers, there are minor chords to enjoy. If only there were less screaming. Read full review

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User Reviews

himeeg

Jan 28, 2014

I loved this film. The visuals are very striking and the editing is phenomenal. Toby Jones is pretty great in this 'fish out of water' story which is really not a horror film, but more like a black comedy which is concerned with the process of making a film.

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

DonSharp

Aug 6, 2013

This is a film all about atmosphere, not narrative (though the two are intrinsically linked, pushing each other forward). Toby Jones is flawless, and the "ufo scene" is particularly amazing.

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

Mike_M

Jun 19, 2013

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. As nearly every professional critic mentions, this movie is more of a cinematic freakout than a story, though there's enough story to grab on to. Is it good? Is it self-indulgent with a whiff of pretension? Is it cryptic enough to leave you without an easy answer? Yes, yes and yes.
It isn't really a horror movie, except for in a psychological, David Lynch way. I would say that the main weakness [and here's the mild spoiler] is that it gives us yet another metadramatic "Is it real? Is it a fantasy? A dream? Is he insane and it's all in his head? Is it about filmmaking itself?" kind of thread to pull on. And I think that thread is threadbare this decade. It's been beat to death.
This said, I half-expect to change my score to a 3 or a 9 after I eventually see this movie again. It's so weird that I'm not even sure if it's good, lousy or great.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

nutterjr

Jun 21, 2013

I was drawn by the positive reviews of this film and justified my choice to watch it having seen Peter Strickland’s debut feature Katalin Varga, which was defined by its vivid direction and use of a powerful score as contributing character to the film. Regrettably this was a lot less lucidI was drawn by the positive reviews of this film and justified my choice to watch it having seen Peter Strickland’s debut feature Katalin Varga, which was defined by its vivid direction and use of a powerful score as contributing character to the film. Regrettably this was a lot less lucid and much more convoluted, confusing and even disturbing at times. The soundtrack on a league of its own and deserving all the possible awards in this category, but unfortunately, apart from the technical merits there is little else to write home about.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DawdlingPoet

Nov 28, 2021

This is undoubtedly a spooky and mildly sinister film, although it didn't really ourtright scare me but its certainly got a bit of an edge to it. The plot is slow and a bit low on the ground, so to speak. Its quite disorientating at times, with video footage thats distorted and continousThis is undoubtedly a spooky and mildly sinister film, although it didn't really ourtright scare me but its certainly got a bit of an edge to it. The plot is slow and a bit low on the ground, so to speak. Its quite disorientating at times, with video footage thats distorted and continous long screams recorded. It just didn't quite equate to a great deal. I could understand the main characters discomfort in being involved with the production of a horror film (although the director/staff disagree on categorising the film their working on as such). The way that certain sound effects are created does seem perhaps a little distasteful at times, although there's nothing genuinely gorey shown.

This is very much a visual film, in as much as there is some imagery which somewhat stands out but overall it seemed to me to be nothing more than an overly quirky, very arty type of a film, which I don't think necessarily said a great to me as such and so I wouldn't specifically recommend it as such, no.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

nicholasbert

Jan 26, 2015

A film about film is something arthouse likes to endeavour in, sometimes with success, sometimes not; and Berberian Sound Studio borrows from the greats (Inland Empire in particular). The idea is good, delving into the technical aspects and "behind-the-scenes" of a production, with grippingA film about film is something arthouse likes to endeavour in, sometimes with success, sometimes not; and Berberian Sound Studio borrows from the greats (Inland Empire in particular). The idea is good, delving into the technical aspects and "behind-the-scenes" of a production, with gripping performances by the cast - however, it doesn't take off, due probably to the lack of a more structured plot.

Don't get me wrong, I know these movies aren't supposed to have plot, but normally they make up for it with symbolism, or cinematography, or sense of awkwardness, or what have you. Toby Jones's descent into a state of morbid attraction towards the film he's helping to produce doesn't feel at all gradual or symbolic, but rather curt and uncalled for. The cinematography is good, the score is better, and there certainly is a sense of awkwardness throughout. It just doesn't play well with the story.

In conclusion, Berberian Sound Studio goes in the right direction but at a wrong pace, or for the wrong reasons if you will. It's still interesting to watch.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

darogers89

Oct 31, 2013

Do not waste your time or especially do not spend your hard earned money buying or renting this film. I warn you. The only other time I was as disappointed by a "horror" movie was when I saw Puppet Master Versus Demonic Toys. All this movie is is a timid guy doing his job making scary soundsDo not waste your time or especially do not spend your hard earned money buying or renting this film. I warn you. The only other time I was as disappointed by a "horror" movie was when I saw Puppet Master Versus Demonic Toys. All this movie is is a timid guy doing his job making scary sounds for horror films. Oh my God that's scary right? No it really really isn't. I was expecting to see at least one murder or attempt at murder or at least one drop of blood for that matter. So annoyed that I actually watched this whole film. I was fooled by the ratings others gave it and I have a feeling so will many others 0/10… Expand

1 of 6 users found this helpful15

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