| The film itself has all the ingredients of a good giallo and even mixes in some supernatural elements. The story concerns a group of eight people invited by a wealthy aristocratic lady to an old theater with an ominous past (an entire family was murdered there 100 years ago). Once the story gets moving (it's a little tedious in the beginning) we find out that all nine people involved are connected to each other in one way or another (either by blood or they have crossed paths previously). When things do get moving we are treated to some truly uncomfortable and tense moments (crotch stabbings are always upsetting to me). There is also a good amount of sex thrown into the mix to offset the violence and pick up the pace a little (and to help it stand a better chance in the commercial marketplace). The supernatural elements that take precedence later on help this movie stand out more in the cluttered subgenre. The film's shortcomings mostly involve the endless bickering of the nine potential victims. While at times this bogs things down it never completely sinks the films which is also aided by a genuinely creepy setting. |
