A BLADE IN THE DARK

A young and talented composer decides to spend a short period in a large isolated villa as he needs tranquility to create the soundtrack for a horror film. In this house, however, inexplicable things will happen: beautiful young women will disappear one by one. The musician will then discover that they have been murdered and will connect everything to the mysterious figure of a certain Linda, the old tenant of the house. Film directed by Lamberto Bava with the collaboration of Michele Soavi (who also appears in the cast in the role of Tony). The movie is enjoyable even if not excellent. We do not find outstanding points or effects to leave you open-mouthed, but, despite this, some things are worth noting. The initial scene, for example, with the children who are about to go down the dark stairs for the dare, or when the musician hears noises in the house and is about to check, are very tense and leave the viewer breathless. No less interesting are the murders, crude and terrifying in perfect Dario Argento style, which Lamberto Bava clearly draws inspiration from. In the film, the chromatic contrasts are very highlighted, just think of the staircase that at the beginning is completely dark: it would surely be less effective for a child and for the viewer who watches him go down a lit staircase! During the film, the musician himself is forced, due to some faults in the lights, to wander in a house that has some areas perfectly lit and others in semi-darkness. The only downside in my opinion is the ending. Not only because it could seem too obvious, implausible or exaggerated, but especially because, in an otherwise enjoyable film, it can seem ridiculous. What a shame because with more care, the level of the film would have been raised. "The House with the Staircase in the Dark" remains a satisfying film without, however, any artistic value.