A serial killer is on the loose near an all-girls school in Switzerland. What the killer doesn't know, however, is one of the girls, Jennifer (Jennifer Connelly in her first leading role), is on his trail...and she has a psychic connection with insects. This is one of those movies I remember seeing in video stores back in the day--I always thought the cover looked cool, but I don't think I ever actually rented it back then.
This 1985 film is likely most known for being one that was offered to the world by noted Italian director Dario Argento (Suspiria), and for coming on the tail-end of the "girls with telekinetic/psychic abilities" craze (think Carrie or Jennifer). Our friend Donald Pleasence of Halloween fame stops by to play Professor John McGregor, an entomologist who helps Jennifer along. He also has a chimp friend that seems way out of place in this movie--speaking of that, there is a lot about this movie that feels really disjointed. Aregento was certainly painting with a very wide brush with this one, going from a decapitation to psychic abilities to a chimpanzee to slasher to deformed child to bullies--picture the aforementioned Carrie meets Friday the 13th meets Every Which Way But Loose. If you are wondering about Phenomena and Creepers, let me clear the air--the movie was released in its native Italy as Phenomena. When it was distributed in the United States, about twenty minutes were cut and the title was changed to Creepers (providing the cover I remember seeing in the video stores). For the record, this review is being written after watching the original version of the film.
The soundtrack is an interesting one, blending heavy metal with goth with new wave with more traditional, orchestral music--this sounds better than it actually is. Connelly turns in an impressive performance. Argento adds some nice direction, along with plenty of suspense, so there is enough here to keep you engaged. The final scene has a moment that may catch you off guard, but that blasted chimp just has to show up once more to ruin it. While certainly no legendary entry in the realm of horror films, Phenomena is one worth checking out.
On A Scale Of One To Ten: 6
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