Buzz
Argento's films have become a cornerstone of the cult horror genre, known for their graphic gore and B-movie charm. Below is a roundup of the top ten most shocking and captivating films. If you're already familiar with Argento's work, this list will be a delightful trip down memory lane. If not, it might introduce you to some new picks for your Netflix queue.
10. The Bird with the Crystal Plumage
In the 1970 B-movie classic *The Bird with the Crystal Plumage*, an American writer living in Rome with his model girlfriend suffers from writer’s block. His plans to return to the US are disrupted when he witnesses a violent assault on a woman by a mysterious assailant in a black glove and raincoat. The police seize his passport as he gets entangled in the investigation of a serial killer terrorizing the city. Soon, Dalmas begins receiving strange phone calls with a distorted bird sound, which is later identified as the rare Southern Caucasus bird — the bird with the crystal plumage. It is said to be housed exclusively in Rome’s zoo, leading him to uncover a connection between the bird and the killer’s whereabouts.
9. Deep Red
Music teacher Marcus Daly becomes a witness to the brutal murder of psychic Helga Ullman, leading him to investigate the crime. This journey introduces a range of colorful characters, such as Ullman’s associate Dr. Giordani and the passionate reporter Gianna Brezzi, with whom Daly has an affair. During his investigation, Daly overlooks an important clue—a painting that hung in Ullman’s apartment, which disappears by the time the police arrive. Daly’s failure to notice this clue leads to a series of murders. A strange nursery rhyme plays during the first killing, which is linked to the killer’s identity. After hearing the rhyme in his own apartment, Daly shares it with a psychiatrist who concludes the song must be a key to the killer’s psyche, possibly connected to a traumatic childhood event. This insight helps Daly ultimately capture the killer.
8. Tenebrae
Inspired by the novels of Peter Neal, a newscaster named Berti embarks on a murderous spree targeting beautiful women in Rome. Meanwhile, Peter Neal arrives in Rome, coincidentally with his agent and infatuated assistant, while being stalked by his unpleasant ex-wife. Berti meets a brutal end at the hands of an unknown attacker, but the killings continue. The killer’s identity remains elusive until Neal’s ex-wife, Jane, is attacked in the kitchen by an axe-wielding assailant who violently murders her. Neal, shaken by learning of Berti, recalls a repressed memory from his youth in which he was sexually humiliated by a girl, an experience that led him to kill her. This triggers a bloodlust that sends Neal into madness, culminating in him faking his own death. In the end, his assistant unintentionally kills him by impaling him with a large metal sculpture.
7. Suspiria
Suzy, an American ballet student, arrives in Germany to join a prestigious dance academy. On her first day, she arranges to stay off-campus with a fellow student, but a strange fainting spell forces her into the dormitory instead. There, she is told she must take daily medication in the form of wine. Not long after, a bizarre incident occurs—millions of maggots fall from the ceiling. The students are told it’s due to spoiled food in the attic. Due to the strange events, Suzy and the others are housed in a temporary dormitory, where she begins to hear the voice of the school’s director, even though they’re supposed to be away for weeks. Troubled by the odd occurrences, Suzy consults Dr. Mandel, a psychologist, who reveals the academy was founded by a Greek immigrant witch. When Suzy returns to the academy, she finds all the students are at the theater. Following a trail of mysterious footsteps, she is led down a secret passage, where she uncovers the hidden coven still performing their deviant rituals.
6. Inferno
The book *The Three Mothers* is uncovered by poet Rose Eliot. It tells the story of three women who dominate the world through sorrow, tears, and darkness. The book was written by architect Varelli, who designed homes for these women in Rome, New York, and Freiburg. Suspecting she resides in one of these houses, Rose writes to her brother in Rome. Following clues in the book, she uncovers a hole in her cellar and, upon digging further, finds a submerged ballroom where a corpse floats to the surface. Two shadowy figures attempt to break into Rose's apartment but ambush her as she tries to escape, killing her. When Mark learns his sister is missing, he arrives in New York with Countess Elise. Discovering strange stains in Rose’s apartment, Mark faints from the shock. A black-robed figure tries to drag Mark's body away but kills Elise instead. Using the clues left by Rose, Mark eventually locates a hidden chamber beneath the cellar, where he faces Varelli and his deranged nurse. After a series of strange events, Varelli and his nurse meet their demise, and Mark escapes.
5. Stendhal Syndrome
Asia Argento stars as detective Anna Manni, who is on the hunt for a serial killer in Florence. The Stendhal Syndrome, a psychological condition where individuals are overwhelmed by great works of art, causes them to enter a delusional state. The serial killer uses this syndrome to distract and confuse Manni, enabling him to kidnap and assault her. Though she escapes, she is left deeply traumatized and goes through a transformative experience that leads her to adopt a more positive outlook on life.
4. Four Flies on Grey Velvet
Rock drummer Roberto Tobias is being hunted by an unknown assailant. Determined to uncover the identity of his stalker, Tobias follows him, leading him to an abandoned theater. In a confrontation, a violent struggle ensues, and Tobias is forced to defend himself, fatally stabbing the stalker in the orchestra pit. Meanwhile, in the upper part of the theater, a man in a puppet mask watches the fight unfold. The next day, Tobias receives the murdered man’s ID in the mail. Realizing that the mysterious figure has no intention of involving the police, Tobias concludes that the stalker is attempting to drive him into a state of fear and paranoia. But the question remains: why?
3. Opera
Young and innocent opera singer Betty unexpectedly finds herself taking the lead in Verdi's *Macbeth* after the previous performer is involved in a car accident. During her debut performance, a murder occurs, and soon everyone connected to Betty becomes a target of unfortunate deaths. At the same time, Betty begins to receive attention from a stalker, and a series of bizarre murders follow. As the murders escalate, Betty starts experiencing horrifying dreams in which her mother is attacked by a masked figure. In a chilling climax during her final performance, the identity of the killer is revealed in a grotesque and unexpected twist.
2. Sleepless
In 1983, Detective Moretti investigates the notorious Dwarf Murders in Turin, where the prime suspect, novelist Vincenzo de Fabritiis, dies, and the case is believed to be closed. However, 17 years later, a new string of identical murders occurs, pulling Moretti back into the case. Moretti teams up with Giacomo, whose mother was a victim of the original killings. As the murders continue, they are forced to confront the grim realization that the killer seems to be orchestrating the deaths of those closest to them, even summoning their own demise.
1. Trauma
Aura, an anorexic woman (Asia Argento), escapes from a psychiatric institution, only to meet David, who compassionately offers her a place to stay so she can avoid returning to the hospital. Unfortunately, their brief relationship crumbles, and Aura is sent back. Soon after, a series of strange murders begin to plague the hospital staff on rainy afternoons, with the victims being decapitated by a homemade garrote. When Aura's parents' lifeless bodies are discovered, she and David join forces to uncover the identity of the mysterious killer.
