20 Greatest Horror Movies Of The 80s

While Phenomena was released in the mid-1980s, in many respects it feels very much like a movie from the previous decade. Its director, Dario Argento, came to prominent attention during the 70s with films like Suspiria and Profundo Rosso. and the appearance of Donald Pleasance brings 70s classic Halloween to mind.

There are other shades of Suspiria in the set up, which involves a young girl (Jennifer Connelly) holed up in a remote boarding school, although instead of facing a coven of witches she's dealing with her newfound psychic powers which allows her to communicate with insects. Before long she finds herself using her new gifts to track down a serial killer.

As with many giallo horror movies which emerged from Italy over the course of three decades, Phenomena features some pretty shoddy acting. But the performances aren't the star of the show - instead, it's Argento's masterful ability to create chilling moods, with his graceful, Scorcese-like eye for intricate shots.

It might have been slated by critics on its release but it's withstood the test of time and emerged a cult classic 80s horror film.