Detective Spivey (Steven Weber) happens upon a deranged man preparing to hack a woman to death with a butcher's cleaver. Spivey shoots the would- be-attacker, to find his potential victim is a hideously disfigured woman named Jenifer. Jenifer has no background he can find, but his interest in her grows to the point of bringing her into his home and subjecting himself - and his family - to a madness inside him that only Jenifer can bring out.Steven Weber got his start on the lighthearted television comedy "Wings", and to see his range as an actor go from bumbling playboy to layered, disturbed protector is simply stunning. His performance here is the best I have seen out of his career, possibly because he also wrote the script this film was based on. No one knows the source material better than the author, and Weber shows tremendous talent both in front of and behind the camera.Critics rarely use the term "jaw-dropping" to describe what they are critiquing. "Jenifer" is jaw-dropping, both in terms of the film and the character herself. Actress Carrie Fleming plays Jenifer under very effective facial makeup and still manages to turn in an unforgettable performance. She may not speak, but she mumbles and trembles and tucks into Weber's arms with the insecurity of a child, throwing the viewer off as to what to expect she is capable of.As Weber's and Jenifer's barbarously symbiotic relationship turns from nurturing to sexual to downright predatorial, Dario Argento's direction kicks in. The classic 'master of horror' specializes in the sadistic, and his television work is no exception. This is less gory than most of Argento's work, but certainly no less gruesome, especially the psychological aspects. The title character preys on the weak of heart. She attacks those close to Weber's character while also growing like a parasite inside him. As the screen goes black, you must ask yourself; who is the monster?This is not a film for the weak of heart. If you have a weak stomach, Gregory Nicotero's unparalleled visual effects may make your insides churn, and the script may do much the same. However, if you are interested in a psychological thriller that will make you think and entertain your inner barbarian, this is the film for you.

I have had trouble watching this one all the way through, but somehow over the years I have finally managed to see the thing in its entirety. A truly sick and disturbing outing by Argento, about an incredibly sexy mute woman (the best kind, for most guys) with a killer face, and I do mean "killer." She just can't stop eating people. A cop befriends her and eventually holes up with her in a remote cabin, leaving behind his family. Nothing he does can stop her from eating people, however. The actress who played this bizarre creature is both highly erotic and scary, which I suspect is how Argento has always viewed women, based on his canon. She is simply amazing. Stephen Weber of WINGS fame plays the obsessed cop. A must-see for fans of ghoul flicks. All others, beware.

So, it has been several hours since I saw this movie, and I still have the horrific images of Jenifer in my mind. I can't believe what a good job they did on Carrie Ann's face. In the beginning, I thought that they would try to hide her face, or just show peeks from underneath her hair, but all of the full frontal shots of her disfigured face were very disturbing; most haunting, in my opinion, were her teeth, tongue, and dripping saliva. I don't really know how to rate this movie, because I found parts of the plot to be very hard to believe. When Steven Weber found her with the cat, and then with the child from next door, I found it very strange that he wouldn't return her to the psych hospital. However, this is the concept of the movie...that she has some strange power over men, mostly sexually, that makes them ruin their entire lives, and die, for her. I think that she must be some sort of demon/devil creature which is conveniently housed inside of a freakishly attractive body....with a "butter face", to say the least. When the camera focuses on her eyes, I think this backs up the idea that she is not just a psychopath, but a truly evil being. Her big, cold black eyes seem otherworldly. To sum this movie up, I don't know if I will be able to sleep tonight...not so much out of horror from the plot/events in the movie, but from the special effects makeup job done on the Jenifer character. This movie is not for people with weak stomachs!!

I have been a fan of "Masters Of Horror" since I first heard about the series and watched the first one. I have found all the episodes to be truly unique, and seldom have I been let down. In all, I'd have to say that three of the episodes have really risen to the top, and my personal favorite would have to be "Jenifer"... A sincerely disturbing piece of horror, "Jennifer" takes us to places we have not, nor are we likely to ever venture again. Combining absolute grotesque-ness with sheer sexuality. I was shocked to learn that Steven (Wings) Weber had written the screenplay, but it just goes to show you what a talented guy he is. The direction of Dario Argento really brings this tale to life, with visuals you are not likely to see again any time soon. The story itself is a bizarre telling of a carnivorous yet gentle demon-like women, whom has the ability to seduce and destroy. The concept alone is a mind boggling triumph in horror writing, but presented to us in this fashion is an absolute treat in itself. If you like your horror a bit on the dark side, then "Jenifer" is a must see for you.... Truly rises to the top.