Tenebrae

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth

In 1977, Stephen King wrote «Rage». Then, in the end of the 1980s, the US suffered a number of high school shootings and hostage takings, inspired by the novel. Shocked by such similarities, Stephen King decided let Rage fall out of print in the United States. In 1982, Dario Argento made a film with a similar theme.

Almost everyone likes to read or watch a bloody thriller, detective or action story. We do it for the sake of getting some relaxation or pleasure. The quality of such films or books is judged by the graphic details. Nevertheless, when you are reading in a subway or turning on a TV, have you ever thought what was the source of inspiration for the author was? Was it written or shot with the real blood or it was merely a byproduct of a sick mind?

Dario Argento doesn’t give us the straight answer. One of the main themes of Tenebrae is a work of a subconsciousness. The Director is interested in inner fears, how the victim could turn in the hunter and vice versa? How a law abiding citizen could turn into the ruthless murderer? Tenebrae asks us – was it books which turn us to murder or is it a specific murderer’s gene, which sits into some of us since the birth?

Rome plays a special part in Tenebrae. We all got used to a beautiful Eternal City. In this film, Dario Argento breaks all the traditional clichés. Argento’s Rome is a cold place and an ideal spot for killers. All of the main colors are steely as a razor blade.

Tenebrae is much bloodier than other films of Dario Argento. I am not a big fan of an extreme violence, but the murders, shot by Argento, are rather stylish and inventive (the most suitable words). Compared with Lucio Fulci, who merely shot extreme violence, Dario Argento shows a twisted psychic of the murders. Maybe, after watching Tenebrae, you would question the fun of bloody books or films.

In comparison with most of the thrillers and crime stories, the story of Tenebrae is rather real. Every day, the media tells us about brutal murders, that is why, the store of Tenebrae could become real.

After not-so-good Inferno, Dario Argento gained back his artistic ground with giallo. Of course, Tenebrae is not Profondo Rosso, but still this film is very interesting and watchable. Tenebrae is a must see for all fans of Dario Argento, giallo and thrillers.