Phenomena

Name: Phenomena
Genre: Mystery, Horror
Released: August 2, 1985
Duration: 116 min
Rating: 57
Cast: Alberto Cracco, Dalila Di Lazzaro, Daria Nicolodi, Donald Pleasence, Federica Mastroianni

1985

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 5 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 67 Ratings

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7.7

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7.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 67 Ratings

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Phenomena

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Movie Details & Credits

Titanus Distribuzione | Release Date: August 2, 1985 | Not Rated

Starring: Alberto Cracco, Dalila Di Lazzaro, Daria Nicolodi, Donald Pleasence, Federica Mastroianni, Fiore Argento, Fiorenza Tessari, Jennifer Connelly, Kaspar Capparoni, Patrick Bauchau

Summary: A young girl, with an amazing ability to communicate with insects, is transferred to an exclusive Swiss boarding school, where her unusual capability might help solve a string of murders.

Director: Dario Argento

Genre(s): Mystery, Horror

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 116 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Rick Sanchez

The movie has a much more open feel than Argento's other films and offers an interesting counter point to his work. The film also exercises Argento's effects work. There are several great scenes where a swarm of flies comes to Jennifer's rescue. Read full review

Ed Gonzalez

The whole of Phenomena is less than the sum of its parts, but the parts are often terrifying and exhilarating. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

Between shots of stunning mountain scenery there are paranormal breezes, unfeasibly bright night-lighting and buckets and buckets of maggots. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

Though Argento's plot is often confused and grotesque, he has a remarkably energetic visual style (mobile camera, slow-motion, careful lighting, creative editing) that is never boring. Read full review

Jon Pareles

The gore starts spattering in earnest too late to save Creepers, a dim-witted horror movie. Read full review

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User Reviews

Panchogul

Apr 1, 2020

Phenomena (1985)

Sinopsis: Jennifer Corvino, hija de un famoso actor de Hollywood, ingresa en la Academia Richard Wagner, un internado situado en las montañas que rodean Zurich (Suiza). Muy pronto empiezan a producirse una serie de brutales asesinatos, obra de un psicópata, con unaPhenomena (1985)

Sinopsis:

Jennifer Corvino, hija de un famoso actor de Hollywood, ingresa en la Academia Richard Wagner, un internado situado en las montañas que rodean Zurich (Suiza). Muy pronto empiezan a producirse una serie de brutales asesinatos, obra de un psicópata, con una especial inclinación por las jovencitas del colegio. Jennifer, que tiene los dones paranormales de la telequinesia y la telepatía, intentará no sólo desenmascarar al sádico que aterroriza a sus compañeras, sino también averiguar qué terrible secreto encierran los muros del internado.

Opinión:

No me lo esperaba, pero de verdad me encantó en todos los aspectos, tiene una atmósfera difusa y rara, como si al final todo fuese un sueño, o quizás pesadilla, para el espectador.
Banda sonora bastante diversa que mezcla el rock y el heavy metal con toques de ópera. Leí que en su época fue bastante censurada y recortada por su contenido, pero en lo personal no la encontré taaaaan violenta y grotesca para llegar a ese extremo, por otro lado tenemos a una jovencita y radiante Jennifer Connelly que se pega más gritos que la propia Jamie Lee Curtis, pero que personifica a una adolescente con bastante carácter y sentido común que la hacen memorable. En cuanto al asesino y su entorno, creo que fue el punto más débil de la película, o al menos lo fue para mí durante el desenlace ya que se me hizo muy Viernes 13, pero en términos generales estuvo decente.

Valoración:

4.5 ⭐ de 5 ⭐… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

Giugi

Oct 3, 2022

Horror film by the master of Italian horror that frightens and impresses in an original and really beautiful way. The film hasn't aged too badly even though it may have too slow rhythms but never tire of it anyway.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

marcmyworks

Jun 10, 2020

Jennifer Connelly's career started interestingly enough in this sci-fi horror flick which incorporates a girl with the power of zoolingualism (insect communication) as well a serial killer who is stalking school girls in Germany. A strong cast with both Connelly and Donald PleasanceJennifer Connelly's career started interestingly enough in this sci-fi horror flick which incorporates a girl with the power of zoolingualism (insect communication) as well a serial killer who is stalking school girls in Germany. A strong cast with both Connelly and Donald Pleasance headlining this film, though the effects and story are a bit cheesy in places.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

Tuneison

Sep 4, 2018

Dario Argento's eye for the cerebral and weirdly visual is perfectly captured in Phenomena, in my opinion, the best movie he made since his Giallo era.

1 of 6 users found this helpful15

Boggiebamph123

Oct 9, 2022

If your new to Dario Argento s films I wouldn't start here. I recommend starting with Deep Red or Opera. Most of his films flirt with bizarre imagery and moments of flying off the rails at full speed...and he made himself a nice career in the film business in spite of it. Phenomena isIf your new to Dario Argento s films I wouldn't start here. I recommend starting with Deep Red or Opera. Most of his films flirt with bizarre imagery and moments of flying off the rails at full speed...and he made himself a nice career in the film business in spite of it. Phenomena is Argento completely untethered and unhinged. All of his tropes and stylistic flourishes are turned up to the max.Completely untethered and unhinged is what makes Phenomena so much fun. It's just that if you haven't seen some of his other films first...before watching Phenomena.You might not be as willing to the ride on this WEIRD awesome experience.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JLau

Sep 25, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Girl in Swiss private school deals with a serial killer, the killer's son and her classroom bullies by telepathically calling insects to help her out.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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