This film essentially begins with a young man by the name of "Federico" (Jean Sorel) who is married to a wealthy woman named "Monica" (Nadiuska) but is having an affair with another woman by the name of "Eva" (Barbara Rey). As it so happens, Federico works with a female colleague named "Elena" (Karin Schubert) who is romantically involved with Eva and is using her affair with Federico to gain control of his company. To make matters even more complicated, a man named "Diego" (Damien Velasco) has just been released from prison and the first thing he does is to blackmail Federico by threatening to reveal his past criminal history before he met Monica and became successful. Eventually, one thing leads to another and Monica soon discovers that she has become an innocent victim in a scheme by certain people so obsessed with money and power that they are willing to do anything to acquire it. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this film derives much of its entertainment value by the mystery it manages to contain until the very end. That being said, this film managed to keep my attention for the most part and for that reason I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.

Taking part in a ICM poll for the best movies of 1976,I started checking the shelf for the DVD of Ruggero Deodato's Italian Crime epic Live Like a Cop, Die Like a Man. Looking down the shelves,I was pleased to find the 1976 duo of Nico Mastorakis's debut Death Has Blue Eyes,and an enticing-sounding Giallo,which led to me meeting Mónica.The plot:Getting married to heiress Mónica, Federico uses her money to set-up a successful company called Eurozona. Dominating boardroom meetings, Federico starts an affair with Eva, (who is a lesbian,and deeply in love with Elena)Unknown to Federico,Elena and Eva have made plans to blackmail Eurozona out of Federico's hands. Aware of their marriage being in trouble and feeling uncomfortable around Eurozona's co- CEO/her husbands pal Arturo, Mónica is shaken when a burglar enters her house and she shoots him. Waking up after fainting from fear, Mónica finds the dead body of Federico's former business partner Diego. Dropping Diego's body in the river, Mónica soon finds her sanity to drop with it.View on the film:Investigating this psychological "bloodless" Giallo with a Film Noir flavour, director Ramón Fernández & cinematographer Hans Burmann make their three leading ladies appear incredible beautiful,with the extended scenes where they are naked being presented in elegant side-shots that give a playfully casual mood to the double-dealing conversations taking place. Smashing into Mónica's mansion, Fernández burns down her life of luxury with ultra-stylised creeping camera moves slithering round the house,and lingering glimpses in the corner of rooms building on the anxiety of Mónica's crumbling mind.Laying out all of their possessions, the screenplay by Juan José Alonso Millán superbly agitates the gaps in Federico and Mónica "perfect marriage", where Federico's dangerous liaison with Eva brings out a cold Film Noir fear in Mónica of being surrounded by vipers. Racing to a wonderfully odd mad-dash double-crossing revelation to the mystery, Millán chips into Mónica's doubts over her sight with gripping Giallo sleigh of hand that in this case actually does run like clockwork, and uses the double trouble of Elena and Eva as Femme Fatale sirens who attract Mónica anxiety to their underhanded dealing.Wrapping tightly round each other,sexy Karin Schubert and Bárbara Rey give terrific performances as Elena and Eva,who are both given an icy vibe that gives their exchanges with Federico and Mónica a venomous snap. Bouncing off Jean Sorel delicately playing the ambiguity of Federico, "Nadiuska" sizzles as Mónica,whose ruptures in paranoia Nadiuska pushes Mónica deep into the Giallo black gloves.

Monica is the pill popping rich (her money) wife of a businessman being blackmailed by a former partner in crime. Said husband has also been carrying on an affair with a model. The affair puts the man's marriage in jeopardy. After a (too) long build up, the blackmailer dies and the body is disposed of, but the corpse re-appears. What is going on? You won't care! This film has a low body count and a predictable outcome. As for the sleaze factor, the nudity is not that plentiful nor, in my opinion, are the women overly attractive. Although Spanish in origin, Death Haunts Monica has the plodding quality of the worst in Italian thrillers.

The marriage between Federico and Monica is on the rocks.Federico has a mistress named Eva.There is a conspiracy between Monica's friend Elena and Eva to take over the company Eurozone owned by Federico.Elena and Eva are in a lesbian relationship.The situation becomes complicating when Diego appears,a former associate of Federico and a criminal...Very enjoyable Spanish giallo obviously influenced by legendary French classic "Diabolique".There is plenty of sleaze and full-frontal nudity including lesbian scene between Karin Schubert and Barbara Rey.Nadisuka is exceptionally beautiful and she shows her naked flesh too.A must-see for any self-respecting giallo completist.7 out of 10.