22:30 into the movie and I am mind-blown that this movie has received such a high rating on IMDB. HOW?!??! The scripting is horrible, the acting is horrible, the soundtrack is horrible.... UGH. Someone gets stabbed in their hand for 5 seconds straight with absolutely NO BLOOD? Wtfe. This movie is definitely one of the worst movies I have ever seen, and that was a good 20 minutes ago. It is an insult to every horror movie before 1985 to say that this movie is good. An absolute insult.

The name of director could be more significant than the film itself. because , to know the map of Argento universe is real useful for understand "Phenomena". a real good horror. if you ignore the flaws and admire cultural references. and the good performances - Donald Plesance is the most easy example. the work of young Jennifer Connelly is decent and a good revelation for young public to discover the first steps of an interesting actress. in same measure, it is a film of atmosphere. and one of remarkable demonstrations of special art of Dario Argento. a film like a trip across memories. because familiar pieces are present and, in same measure, the drops of magic/old myths are a precious gift.

First off, I'm not one to write a review of any movie.I've watched a few. Enough to know what's what and who's who in the biz, but I'm no film critic. Main reason I wrote this review is to correct a misunderstanding perceived by a review of the "Creepers" cut VS "Phenomena" : *SPOILERS*The chimpanzee is NOT the killer in the "Creepers" cut. I watched the "Creepers" cut myself because I was intrigued by that reviewer's remarks. Either the reviewer remembered wrongly or watched an unknown "Creepers" alternate ending... If there would exist one. I then confirmed by IMDb's FAQ link that no such version (making Tanga/Inga the villain) exists.I enjoyed Goblin's and Simonetti's score including odd 'Iron Maiden' and 'Motorhead' song choices that a lot of the negative reviewers thought were misplaced - even though those two bands are not really my cup of tea. The overall moody autumn/fall feel coupled with a picturesque Swiss horizon sets a great atmosphere. Supporting cast was fair. Donald Pleasence's eccentric character made an important contribution. Daria Nicolodi as a seriously deranged character was fun to watch.The movie is marred by some cheap and embarrassing special effects, trashy gore and low production quality typically associated with the horror/slasher genre.There is a reason why Dario Argento had only nice things to say about Jennifer. There is a reason why Jennifer wants to forget she once starred in this.I'd otherwise rate this one around 4.5-5/10. But Jennifer Connelly's Ms. Corvino lights up the screen with her angelic presence and unusual powers.If not for Jennifer, there would be no Phenomena.

"Phenomena" has Jennifer Connelly, (in her first film after working on Sergio Leone's 'Once Upon A Time In America'), as a teenager who arrives at a Swiss boarding school where the students are being stalked by a serial killer. She discovers she has special psychic powers, and uses them to pursue the killer. 'Phenomena' is Argento returning to 'Suspiria' and 'Inferno', yet infusing it with 'Giallo,' and coming up with one of his more unusual pieces. While the Swiss setting is devoid of any cultural markers (no hint of Hitchcock in use of locale), Argento presents one of his finest opening set-pieces. In a country setting a girl misses her bus and seeks refuge inside a mysterious home, there she collides with the film's faceless chained-up killer. Fleeing through a waterfall she is ultimately stabbed and decapitated by the killer. It's a vicious sequence from an unusually tranquil film that dabbles with the idea of nature having more power over us than we realise. Jennifer loves insects and is a somnambulist, and whilst sleepwalking witnesses a murder and therefore becomes a target of the film's faceless killer. While lost in the woods, she meets John and his monkey and connects with insects near and far. Like a wayward Gretel she is led into Argento's fairy-tale forest by a glowing insect; Argento cuts to an insect's POV, splitting the frame into segments, showcasing his obsession with the eye, sight and sightlessness. There may be no logical connection between the film's killings and Jennifer's gift, but that does not detract from the fact that this is one very unique film. 'Phenomena' was released in the United States in an edited version under the title of 'Creepers', continuing Argento's lack of any meaningful success in the United States since 'Suspiria'.