When reading the back of Inferno's DVD-cover, it looks like you're holding Argento's most ambitious piece of writing in your hands. A well thought-out thematic sequel to 'Suspiria' and the second part in the 'Three Mothers' trilogy. A young lady becomes petrified by the thought that the building she lives in is one of the buildings owned and ruled by the Three Mothers, of which she read about in a devilish book. She alarms her brother in Rome but by the time he gets there, she has mysteriously vanished. She's not the only one by the way
everyone who even attempts to unravel the Mothers' mystery dies a horrible, violent death. Now, it may look like an outlandish super-thriller but the plot is confusing too often and, at times, even entirely incomprehensible and utterly uninvolving. Luckily Argento has the talent (or luck) to loudly insert an abrupt plot-twist or violent murder every time the film tends to loose your interest, so that you're awake and attentive again.
But and this is what counts most - Dario Argento's Inferno is yet another stylish masterpiece! You cannot be but thrilled by the man's talent for sound, image and movement. This film is a beautiful series of bizarre set pieces, edited together by stunning camera-work. Then add some of the most impressive murder-sequences you ever witnessed, and you'll totally forget about the plot-holes and illogicalness. Italian horror-freaks know it already: Dario Argento has the gift to make sadistic violence look like beautiful art. We see how a throat is horizontally speared by a knife, how a young woman is slowly guillotined by a piece of broken window or how Daria Nicolodi (Argento's wife at that time) is completely devoured by ravenous cats. There are several more outrageous death scenes, but it's up to you to check them out. I think 'Inferno' is Argento's most successful attempt to bring a compelling murder mystery with depth and range. To me, it's a lot better than the slightly overrated 'Suspiria' and it even ranks as his third-best film. I'll always prefer 'Opera' and 'Tenebrae' but you can't really compare those with 'Inferno'. They're more like slick gialli whodunits. One final remark goes out to the terrific musical score. The end-credits song will haunt your head long after you finished watching this film. Outstanding piece of pure Gothic music.
But and this is what counts most - Dario Argento's Inferno is yet another stylish masterpiece! You cannot be but thrilled by the man's talent for sound, image and movement. This film is a beautiful series of bizarre set pieces, edited together by stunning camera-work. Then add some of the most impressive murder-sequences you ever witnessed, and you'll totally forget about the plot-holes and illogicalness. Italian horror-freaks know it already: Dario Argento has the gift to make sadistic violence look like beautiful art. We see how a throat is horizontally speared by a knife, how a young woman is slowly guillotined by a piece of broken window or how Daria Nicolodi (Argento's wife at that time) is completely devoured by ravenous cats. There are several more outrageous death scenes, but it's up to you to check them out. I think 'Inferno' is Argento's most successful attempt to bring a compelling murder mystery with depth and range. To me, it's a lot better than the slightly overrated 'Suspiria' and it even ranks as his third-best film. I'll always prefer 'Opera' and 'Tenebrae' but you can't really compare those with 'Inferno'. They're more like slick gialli whodunits. One final remark goes out to the terrific musical score. The end-credits song will haunt your head long after you finished watching this film. Outstanding piece of pure Gothic music.