Today's classic horror movie of the week is Phenomena, also known as Creepers here in the U.S. In 1985 the great Dario Argento known for his great hits like Suspiria released the film Phenomena starring a new actress in her first starring role named Jennifer Connelly. The film also stars the late great Donald Pleasence better known for his great work in Halloween and Escape from New York. Most people with the exception of the horror film buffs are very unfamiliar with this undercover hit from Argento. With the film having a bigger and better reception in Europe it was pretty much straight to VHS in the U.S. The plot of the film tells a story of a teen daughter of a famous American film actor who is sent away to an all girl Swiss boarding school. Unfortunately the students are being mysteriously murdered one by one. In addition to her being the daughter of a famous film actor she has a gift of controlling insects, Hens the title (Phenomena). Donald Pleasence plays the Scientist who some how coincidentally and miraculously studies insects and befriends the young Jennifer Connelly. Needless to say for the rest of the film she comes face to face with the killer or killers (Wink Wink), and then calls on her little friends to join the fun. This movie contains lots of great slasher deaths and contains a very well plot unlike most of Argento's films. Of course the acting isn't that great but it is easily overlooked do to the amazing atmosphere that the story takes place in. But please remember, this is typically an eighties foreign film so you really need to be into this type of genre to appreciate it. The scenic shots are great and the ending scenes are disturbing and extremely creepy. I personally think that if you haven't seen it before and feel like being scared, watch it late at night by yourself with the lights off. I promise you won't be disappointed.
Unfortunately the students are being mysteriously murdered one by one. In addition to her being the daughter of a famous film actor she has a gift of controlling insects, Hens the title (Phenomena). Donald Pleasence plays the Scientist who some how coincidentally and miraculously studies insects and befriends the young Jennifer Connelly. Needless to say for the rest of the film she comes face to face with the killer or killers (Wink Wink), and then calls on her little friends to join the fun. This movie contains lots of great slasher deaths and contains a very well plot unlike most of Argento's films. 
Of course the acting isn't that great but it is easily overlooked do to the amazing atmosphere that the story takes place in. But please remember, this is typically an eighties foreign film so you really need to be into this type of genre to appreciate it. The scenic shots are great and the ending scenes are disturbing and extremely creepy. I personally think that if you haven't seen it before and feel like being scared, watch it late at night by yourself with the lights off. I promise you won't be disappointed.
