BLOOD WORK: HALLOWEEN HORROR DAYS ~ DAY 27: PHENOMENA (1985)

What do you get when you cross a chimpanzee, a Swiss all girls boarding school, telepathic insects, Iron Maiden & Motorhead, a reincarnation of Beelzabeb, somnambulism, and a psychotic killer? One of the craziest, far out, totally freaking awesome horror movies ever made! PHENOMENA a.k.a. CREEPERS stars Jennifer Connelly, Donald Pleasence, and Tanga the chimpanzee in a supernatural murder mystery thriller unlike any horror movie you've ever seen before. Fascinating concepts, skin-crawling co-stars, and final act that can only be described as jaw-dropping. All this from the mind of Italian horror maestro Dario Argento.

The world of horror has been forever changed by the works of Dario Argento. Whether it was inspiring more Italian horror filmmakers like Michele Soavi (Dellamorte Dellamore) and Lamberto Bava (Demons) or inspiring horror legends John Carpenter and George Romero, Argento's films have had a lasting effect. His films have a flavor uniquely his own. Phenomena was written, directed, and produced by Argento himself with a musical score featuring his own group "Goblin" as well as classic metal bands Iron Maiden and Motorhead. Without question there is no other film quite like this one.

THE PLOT

Jennifer just arrived at a Swiss boarding school for girls. Everyone at the school is one edge due to the recent murder of a young girl. One night Jennifer sleepwalks out of the school over to an abandoned building. Inside she sees another young woman murdered. Still asleep, she wanders out into the woods until she comes upon a house. She wakes with no memory of what she saw. The resident of the house, Professor McGregor, helps her inside. McGregor, a renown entomologist, notices his collection of insects reacting strangely to Jennifer's presence. They follow her, even listen to her. She admits to always having a fondness for insects. Professor McGregor begins to suspect a unique connection between Jennifer and insects, even the insects that feed on decaying corpses. Perhaps, he wonders, if she might be able to use the insects to track down a killer?

THE GOOD

Supernatural Thriller. It's a pretty common theme to find supernatural elements in horror movies. What's unique about this is that it's the protagonist who has the supernatural powers. And these powers are unique too: the ability to communicate with bugs. And where the story takes Jennifer's abilities is intriguing. She can calm them and likewise excite them. A firefly lights her way through the dark of night. And the carrion flies lead her on the trail of a coldblooded killer. Her abilities keep growing, building to the epic climax at the end. The film also makes some subtle implications about Jennifer which sadly go largely unexplored. The implication being that Jennifer may be Beelzebub incarnate. Interesting, yes?

Entomology, the study of insects, plays a key role in the plot. Specifically forensic entomology. By what type of insects are present on a rotting corpse one can trace back to the near exact date in which the murder took place as well a specific location depending on the type of insect. Donald Pleasence plays Professor McGregor and delivers another fantastic performance while educating the audience on entomology. Not only that but the film attempts to explain insects' seemingly supernatural senses. Then there is the biblical implications as well. The film dives head-first into the world of insects, both scientifically and philosophically.

Then there is the chimpanzee. You will definitely remember the chimpanzee and the epic finale.

THE BAD

Music Choices. I love me some metal. And you can't get much better than Iron Maiden or Motorhead. And I love their inclusion here along with the already bizarre score from Goblin. I only question their placement. One begins playing over what should be a somber emotional scene where a body is carted out passed Jennifer. It continues playing while a detective is interviewing someone. It's a flat scene with intense metal music playing in the background. Then another fast-paced metal song plays as Jennifer slowly sleepwalks outside. Every time the filmmakers insert a metal song it's to a slow moving scene. This doesn't necessarily hurt the movie however it does make you tilt your head and ask, "Whaaaaaat?"

THE VERDICT

Some say SUSPIRIA is Argento's masterpiece. Others say it's DEEP RED. I enjoy both of those films very much but I say the ultimate Argento experience is PHENOMENA. It's like someone reached into a bag of random plot ideas and instead of picking one they picked them all. Insects, chimps, all girls school, and murder. Tying forensic entomology with an avatar of Beelzebub in a supernatural murder mystery with a chimp (of course there's a chimp, why wouldn't there be?) makes for one unique and memorable horror experience.

Overall Ranking: 8 out of 10

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Nude-O-Meter: 0 out of 10