Phenomena (1984) Reviews

Phenomena (1984)
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Declared "my most personal film" by Italy's premier horror director Dario Argento, this production marked the director's return to the eerie thematic territory he pioneered in 1977 with the horror classic Suspiria. Much like that film, Phenomena conforms to the logic of nightmares. Jennifer Connelly stars as Jennifer Corvino, the daughter of an American film star, who enrolls in a prestigious Swiss boarding school under the tutelage of the prudish Mrs. Bruckner (played by frequent Argento collaborator and former beau Daria Nicolodi). Possessing a unique telepathic gift, Jennifer is capable of communicating with insects on an instinctive level, often while sleepwalking. This trait soon brands her a "freak" among her snooty classmates but makes her a valuable asset to entomologist Dr. MacGregor (Donald Pleasence), who is currently employing the innate forensic skills of insects to aid police in tracking a serial killer targeting the boarders at Jennifer's school. As Jennifer's tiny friends (including the corpse-hunting Sarcophagus Fly) guide her closer to the murderer's lair, everything from MacGregor's revenge-driven pet chimpanzee to Bruckner's monstrously disfigured son figure into the mix, providing not one but three shocking endings. Shot in English and re-dubbed for various European markets, this graphic thriller was released in drastically edited form as Creepers in the U.S. and England; Argento's original cut runs 110 minutes. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

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Starring:
Jennifer Connelly, Donald Pleasence, (more)
Director(s):
Dario Argento
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD
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Average Ratings

(23 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Chris W.

I felt this movie was a little too boring for my taste. However, I really liked the cinematography - some really cool landscape shots. Some lame decisions by folks that got killed - like Jennifer Connelly's roommate. She knows there's a killer running around killing young girls, but she still decides to go meet her boyfriend in the woods late night. And he immediately decides to tell her he's shipping out for Army duty first thing in the morning and leaves her there - huh? It also seemed too long. I heard the original U.S. release was about 25 minutes shorter - probably for a good reason. The ending has some cool stuff, but some lameness at the same time - I don't want to spoil it for you readers.

Yes   |   No


Matt I.

I loved this movie! Very entertaining, and the murder scenes are cool. I love when Jennifer falls into the "pool"... the scene with her and the telephone in the tunnel are quite amusing. I would freak if maggots were falling into my hair! The location is beautiful, and it's made obvious Jennifer Connelly is going to be a brilliant actress.

Yes   |   No


H F.

Jennifer Connelly and Argento go together beautifully. I loved this movie. Although the scene where Jennifer falls into the pit of "body soup" is nasty... and the killer's kid is disgusting. A face only a mom could love? Plz. Someone should put a bag on that bizitch! Love the monkey tho and God rest his soul, Donald Pleasence's prescence on screen is always a cinematic pleasure for me.

Yes   |   No


Eric T.

I highly recommend this movie. I recommend all Dario Argento movies. His movies are far more superior then US horror movies.

Yes   |   No


Michael E.

This movie disappointed me. The characters and plot points are so one dimensional. How does the main character find out about murders at the school? Oh, how about one of the other characters just randomly bring it up. Argento is a hack. He is no master of Horror.

Yes   |   No


Bryan V.

The first hour of this movie is torturously slow. The whole, communicating with the insects aspect comes off as hokey. The striking visuals Argento usually achieves are faintly seen. His GOREgeously choreographed deaths are barely present and the story drags, as it does in most of his works. After an hour, the story unfolds along the lines of, Friday The 13th. The ending is too reminiscent of Friday The 13th, mother avenging her son, beheadings and all. Paraplegic entomologist played by, Donald Pleasance, who helps, Jennifer utilize her burgeoning skills in talking to insects, has a nurse monkey. The nurse monkey ends up in one of the more ridiculous endings to a movie that I've ever seen. This is a bad movie. If you're looking for something akin to, Suspiria, forget it. This ain't it. After seeing more than a few of his films, I've concluded that, Argento is highly over rated.

Yes   |   No


Terrance O.

I really thought this film might have promise given Dario's high praise. What a disappointment. I did make it through to the end but wish I hadn't. The story is muddled, hopelessly impractical, a sorry script and not a scare in sight. really lousy flick. The best part was watching a young (and hot) Jennifer Connelly which is the film's only redeeming quality. I recommend you pass on this one.

Yes   |   No


Mary V.

As far as dream logic goes, this is the dreamiest horror film I've seen. The segues are abrupt in places, the characters don't behave along the lines of normal rationality, and the further along the movie goes, the more plots are introduced. Normally, a movie with those qualities would be a horrible mess, but Phenomena's pervasive dream atmosphere is able to hold it all together.

Yes   |   No


Kimberly R.

one of the worse movies I have seen in a long time

Yes   |   No


Hilda S.

BUGS-A MONKEY-CRAZY PEOPLE RUNNING AROUND-VERY DIFFERENT CONTEXT.

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Read all (23)
     
    Chris W.

    I felt this movie was a little too boring for my taste. However, I really liked the cinematography - some really cool landscape shots. Some lame decisions by folks that got killed - like Jennifer Connelly's roommate. She knows there's a killer running around killing young girls, but she still decides to go meet her boyfriend in the woods late night. And he immediately decides to tell her he's shipping out for Army duty first thing in the morning and leaves her there - huh? It also seemed too long. I heard the original U.S. release was about 25 minutes shorter - probably for a good reason. The ending has some cool stuff, but some lameness at the same time - I don't want to spoil it for you readers.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Matt I.

    I loved this movie! Very entertaining, and the murder scenes are cool. I love when Jennifer falls into the "pool"... the scene with her and the telephone in the tunnel are quite amusing. I would freak if maggots were falling into my hair! The location is beautiful, and it's made obvious Jennifer Connelly is going to be a brilliant actress.

    Yes   |   No

     
    H F.

    Jennifer Connelly and Argento go together beautifully. I loved this movie. Although the scene where Jennifer falls into the pit of "body soup" is nasty... and the killer's kid is disgusting. A face only a mom could love? Plz. Someone should put a bag on that bizitch! Love the monkey tho and God rest his soul, Donald Pleasence's prescence on screen is always a cinematic pleasure for me.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 23 Reviews
       

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