Note: This is a review of Synapse Films’ one-disc Blu-Ray release of Tenebrae, not the steelbook they released previously. The one-disc release has significantly less extras.
Tenebrae review
Dario Argento is inextricably linked with the horror and giallo genres, and for good reason. Both Suspiria and Tenebrae have become standout films from his oeuvre, inspiring many rising directors with their artful direction, their surprisingly beautiful use of violence, and their eerie surrealism laced with nearly psychedelic color schemes. Tenebrae, released in 1982, features many of the same ideas that Argento utilized in his previous gialli – and, in truth, much of the same cinematography – but unlike his more chaotic plots, Tenebrae is a well-paced whodunnit caper at its most simplistic, with a heavy dose of subtext about corruption and violence in the media at its most thematic points.
Tenebrae follows Peter Neal (Anthony Franciosa), a successful writer heading to Rome after the release of his newest best-selling novel Tenebre. The book is, as many of the characters describe, quite depraved and sexist, with a horribly violent killer who murders mostly women (sound familiar?). Unfortunately, Neal’s success also leads to him becoming a target for a sadistic serial killer who copies ideas from Tenebre and then sends cryptic letters to Neal using his own words. Argento documents both the investigation into the killer and also the killer’s perspective, giving the viewer two different angles to view these crimes – one from those who are terrorized, and one from the person hunting his prey. The twisty plot involves multiple killers, a large body count, and quite a few metacritical references to the horror genre and, less explicitly, Argento’s own body of work.
Tenebrae is a great offering to the giallo genre, specifically because it is a good starting point for many viewers new to that style of cinema. Argento writes and directs the film, and here he isn’t frantically attempting to find ways to combine more supernatural elements with real human action. This is one of Argento’s most cohesive scripts, especially in the way that it deals with the plot; Tenebrae continually moves forward besides a few veiled flashback sequences, and it leaves little room for the viewer to get lost or, more importantly, for Argento to navigate through confusing subplots. Its focus on Peter Neal gives the viewer a central narrative to follow, and Argento only cuts away from him when important book-related deaths occur.
The plot is a strong point because of Tenebrae‘s comments on horror in media; the film contains a book that is basically the equivalent of a giallo film, and multiple characters – including the original serial killer, played by John Steiner – seem to find Neal’s novel a huge source of corruption for his readers. Argento uses corruption as a source for his killers, but not in the way that most viewers would expect; Tenebrae concludes that it’s not the media that corrupts, but the reader who misinterprets the meaning. For the film, the initial killer identifies with Neal’s book’s killer because they both are already mentally damaged, even going so far as to label gay people as morally reprehensible people deserving punishment. It’s forward thinking on Argento’s part, who also includes a lesbian couple in the film (designed more for titillation than progressiveness, but still surprising), two female extras holding hands in a background shot, and other fairly liberal references about abortion.
Those themes of corruption go deeper than just Neal’s novel though, as Argento works in flashbacks the killer experiences throughout the film. In truth, the editing for these moments is somewhat suspect, oddly placed in inappropriate moments, but ultimately Argento adds much more depth to his killer because of these scenes. Besides an exposition dump by Detective Germani (Giuliano Gemma) at the end of the film, Argento doesn’t reference the importance of these moments, forcing the viewer to link the killer’s depravity with an early life experience where an older woman seduced younger boys to a point where jealousy took over.
While Tenebrae is not one of Argento’s most artistic films, he certainly works in quite a bit of death linked to sex and beauty anyway. The film’s settings are grandiose, including: a crazy modernist house where the camera, through the killer’s point-of-view, works its way up the outside of the house, along the roof, and back down to the window in an eerily voyeuristic way; multiple scenes of scantily-clad women covered in blood, dead and still beautiful; viscerally red shoes; a gigantic estate walkthrough complete with pools and a completely open flat; and a final death literally caused by a giant piece of metal artwork impaling the killer. The kills aren’t as complex or surrealistic as some of Argento’s other works, but they do continually get more gruesome as the film moves along. Argento isn’t shying away from depravity, and in fact many of the characters are corrupt in some way, whether it be due to murder or something less extreme.
Tenebrae is not without its flaws. It’s a slow film, and many people will not have the patience to wade through some of Argento’s slower, but still stylish, scenes. Likewise, Argento’s script often lacks finesse in its movements through the film, especially when it comes to the problematic depiction of Peter Neal and his relationship with his fiancee Jane (Veronica Lario). Still, these are problems that are easily forgiven by those with a real interest in murder mysteries, crime capers, horror in general, and the beauty inherent in Argento’s work.
All of this to say that Tenebrae has certainly earned its spot as one of the best giallo films, and one cannot call themselves a horror fan without at least experiencing Argento’s classic. Though some will find the pacing and tone problematic – a quality of gialli that has actually come to define this form of film – the artistic merit of Tenebrae cuts through, especially thanks to Argento’s themes of corruption that elevate the movie from a simple mystery to something more cerebral. Tenebrae is an essential film, and Synapse Films’ release is one that you absolutely must have in your collection.
Click next for the Blu-Ray review.
Blu-Ray review
Synapse Films’ Blu-Ray edition of Tenebrae is, to put it bluntly, fantastic, whether you have the original steelbook release or this one-disc version. The video quality of the film is absolutely gorgeous, and so much better than the previous DVD version of the film I saw years ago. This is a 1080p, 1.85:1 aspect ratio restoration of the original camera negative with color correction, and one can absolutely see the detail and dedication that went into this. The colors are vibrant, an important part of this film considering all of the reds at play, and there is very little to complain about. This is the clearest I’ve ever experienced Tenebrae, and I can’t recommend this restoration enough.
Similarly, the 2.0 audio track, presented in both English or Italian with subtitles, sounds fantastic – very crisp, clear, and the Goblin (or Simonetti-Pignatelli-Morante) soundtrack is pulsating thanks to the bass. Both Italian and English tracks are great, but I think I do prefer the English myself (I like to hear John Saxon’s voice, obviously).
While this single disc lacks the extras included in the steelbook, it’s certainly worth your time if you weren’t able to get the other edition. An audio commentary track with film critic Maitland McDonagh adds some research and education to the viewing experience, with some expert commentary on the film. High-def English insert shots are included as well, which can be added to the film via branching for a flawless viewing. Yellow Fever: The Rise and Fall of the Giallo is also included, a full-length documentary that discusses the giallo movement and defines the most important films and aspects of the genre. This alone is a great extra.
Finally, the disc includes original Unsane end credits and alternate opening credits, as well as the theatrical trailer and the Japanese Shadow trailer.
Seriously, though, if I haven’t said it enough – pick this Synapse release up if you didn’t grab the steelbook. You won’t be disappointed.
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