15 Great Italian Horror Films You Must See Before You Die

6. Phenomena (Dario Argento, 1985)

“She’s not normal. She’s diabolic! […] Look at her, the Lady of the Flies!”

Chimps armed with scalpels; deformed children; decomposing corpses; revolting cesspits… and Donald Pleasance. Phenomena, or Creepers in the US, plays out like a bizarre compilation of drug-induced nightmares, and strangely beautiful ones at that. At times it’s easy to forget that there’s even a plot. But hell, we’re watching a peak Dario Argento film – does anyone actually care about the damn story? Yes, it’s a whodunnit, but unlike his more straightforward gialli, the mystery aspect of the film completely takes a back seat to all of the seemingly random what-the-f**kery that’s unfolding in front of your eyes. If you’re giving me baby Sloth from The Goonies and a telepathically controlled insect swarm, I’m certainly not going to complain about the absence of a coherent story line. I’m already sold.

As with any Argento classic, there is one true star of Phenomena: Goblin’s fabulous soundtrack. The grand, operatic, over the top score is entirely unlike any other, and it honestly makes the film. The film also kicks off with one of Argento’s characteristically gruesome and theatrical opening murder sequences, set against a gorgeous Swiss backdrop. He never does settle you in gently.