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Tenebre
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Tenebre

Tenebre

1982
Suspense/Thriller, Crime
1h 41m
An American writer in Rome is stalked by a serial killer bent on harassing him while killing all people associated with his work on his latest book. (imdb)

Directed by:

Dario Argento

Screenwriter:

Dario Argento

Starring:

Giuliano Gemma, John Saxon, Daria Nicolodi, John Steiner, Ania Pieroni, Lara Wendel, Anthony Franciosa, Christian Borromeo, Mirella D'Angelo, Veronica Lario, Eva Robin's, Carola Stagnaro

Genres:

Suspense/Thriller, Crime, Horror, Mystery

AKAs:

Tenebrae, Unsane

Country:

Italy

Languages:

Spanish, Italian
imdb IMDb
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Tenebre

1982
Suspense/Thriller, Crime
1h 41m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 58.12% from 922 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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paxtonPaxton
Rated 07 Jan 2020
79
75th
Not as outlandish as Opera and not as grounded as The Bird with the Crystal Plumage, Tenebre still packs enough punch to make you lament the loss of that bright red colored blood that makes you hungry for beets. That's a lot of punch because who likes beets? I hate this review.
Rated 07 Jan 2020
thedenizenTheDenizen
Rated 29 May 2011
70
63rd
An American novelist in Rome has to help police when a razor wielding killer starts imitating the murders in his latest book. Lots of tits, twists and red herrings, and a finale that explodes into an orgy of gory axe murders. The keyboard score is inconsistent, working at times and seeming out of place in some scenes, but Argento's keen eye for an artful or unusual shot is on full display. One of the tensest sequences consists of a young woman being chased by a dog.
Rated 29 May 2011
terrymacterrymac
Rated 03 May 2017
73
66th
Very decent, if you like Dario Argento. Which I do. A slightly fanciful "whodunit" is delivered via some nice camerawork, colour and styling, and a number of interesting themes are touched upon, if not explored in any great detail. Most of the cast here are present in order to be bumped off in spurts of bright red blood, but a few performances have some charm. And the music by some ex-Goblin types is typically full of character. Like a good episode of Murder She Wrote, with gore and Italians.
Rated 03 May 2017
jbynjbyn
Rated 30 Oct 2016
79
65th
Tenebre is a fine film I can appreciate on many different levels. One of my least favorite film genres is probably crime drama. This caused me to enjoy the movie less. Still the mystery and violence helped me stay engaged. It is easy to see Tenebre and Suspiria used the same cinematographer. Other than this, the only strong link I recognized was the dog scene. I loved when the dog is about to jump an extra high fence and takes a few steps back to compensate. Clearly Air Bud was inspired by this.
Rated 30 Oct 2016
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 11 Oct 2015
84
77th
The kind of stylish slasher I expected from Argento. It helps me overlook how bloody the kill scenes are and how convoluted the plotting is when I get beautiful cinematography and set pieces to accompany everything. The plotting here is actually more grounded than most giallos I've seen, which helps as well.
Rated 11 Oct 2015
yiannosYiannos
Rated 24 Jul 2015
70
72nd
Like Antonioni, Argento seems to be fascinated by the sterile modern architecture that began to populate Rome in the 1960's, but he uses this backdrop for an entirely different purpose: to stage brutal and bloody murders whose antiseptic setting merely augments their cold brutality.The highlights are its set pieces which include an incredible crane shot over an entire house and an outrageously bloody death scene featuring an amputated limb spraying red all over a bright white wall.
Rated 24 Jul 2015
luna6ixLuna6ix
Rated 01 Sep 2012
63
19th
Argento made a bevy of movies that people go slack jawed in awe about, meanwhile I attempt not to fall asleep and realize I've failed when horribly loud synthesizers wake me up in a puddle of drool.
Rated 01 Sep 2012
eveeluneveelun
Rated 15 May 2007
76
62nd
Stylish and clever handling of what initially seems like a very basic plot. It's far from perfect (the acting and dialogue are pretty preposterous), but it is definitely heads and shoulders above most giallos, notably for some great great tracking shots and other fine camerawork. Plus the soundtrack is wonderful.
Rated 15 May 2007
jschlanskyJSchlansky
Rated 25 Jun 2022
79
73rd
The best Giallo plots tend to feel like Hitchcock stories told in the sleaziest way imaginable with much worse acting and much better music. Check out the Justice song Phantom for a French electro spin on the main Tenebre theme
Rated 25 Jun 2022
gnalkhereGnalkhere
Rated 27 May 2021
80
72nd
Tenebruh
Rated 27 May 2021
nobambanobamba
Rated 24 May 2020
60
62nd
Great variety in killings although the axe gets overused in the end. Not sure what the dream girl was about. The problem I have with these films is I can't tell whether the imagery is some big directorial vision or just pretentious BS. So are the topless women symbolic of sexuality or just boobs for me to gawk at until they're conveniently disposed? Is that upskirt meant for me to question my POV or just to tease? Fav scene: axe chopping off hand and spraying blood in an arc on the white wall.
Rated 24 May 2020
billyshearsBillyShears
Rated 25 Aug 2017
80
77th
"Me a like a da Hitchcock" 'What did Argento say?' 'I dunno something about being gay'
Rated 25 Aug 2017
astrakhanastrakhan
Rated 27 Jan 2017
72
24th
More Argento that's very typical of Argento, no deviation from the standard formula. He perhaps outdoes himself in the number of grisly deaths and the variety of ways in which random cast members get sliced and diced. A rare highlight: the dog sequence. There's little rhyme or reason or much of a plot to keep you interested, just the usual twist with exposition finally. You must have to really be a fan of the stylised gore and macabre, voyeuristic killings, to get much a kick out of this film.
Rated 27 Jan 2017
thereeldealthereeldeal
Rated 21 Feb 2015
65
37th
The most thoroughly competent Argento I've ever seen. That is to say, one of the dullest. Argento usually finds success in absurdity, so he never really grasps it in this straightforward murder mystery. The killings are gorey but generic slashings and stabbings, and the mystery isn't very enthralling as it mostly resolves itself over time without much character involvement. The lack of style is disappointing post-Suspiria, but there's great camerawork. At least Tenebre's not as empty as Inferno.
Rated 21 Feb 2015
backwardsuitbackwardsuit
Rated 12 Nov 2014
79
77th
The most hateful, self-aware and downright nasty of Argento's films marks his return to the traditional giallo format with a bunch of new tricks. The style this time is worlds away from the psychedelic nether-worlds of Suspiria and Inferno. The clinically bright, ultra-modern and unseen version of Rome provides a unique setting for the interesting and surprisingly analytical plot. Camerawork is once again inspired and mystifying. Goblin scores yet another hit with the dance inflected soundtrack.
Rated 12 Nov 2014
caimancaiman
Rated 07 Mar 2013
82
68th
Being a late entry into the genre, this is a giallo that already knows all the rules. You could almost say this is the Scream of giallos. But despite the genre's well-worn conventions, this film's story remains fresh and, mostly, unpredictable. Absent here is Argento's more lavish styling, which is a shame. What we get instead is a more sterile style with one of his more coherent plots. The ending got really over the top, in a good way. I'd say this is one of his better movies.
Rated 07 Mar 2013
crayonCRAYON
Rated 09 Dec 2011
85
64th
This is probably the first Argento where the plot really had me interested. This is most likely due to its simplicity, but that just leaves more room for gruesome murders. Like his other work Tenebre is beautifully shot and wonderfully scored.
Rated 09 Dec 2011
florvdeFlorVdE
Rated 02 May 2011
4
87th
Creative killings, great style and even a plot!
Rated 02 May 2011
jkendrickj.kendrick
Rated 19 Mar 2009
35
86th
"...simultaneously rigorous and ridiculous, a curious blend of Alfred Hitchcock's suspenseful sadism and Michelangelo Antonioni's arty ennui."
Rated 19 Mar 2009
joseywalesjoseywales
Rated 31 Oct 2008
69
53rd
Nothing spectacular here. The only memorable bits were a nice chase scene and a theme song by Goblin that was later remixed by Daft Punk-clone 'Justice'.
Rated 31 Oct 2008
nathanbatesNathanBates
Rated 27 Nov 2024
60
36th
I can't remember ever laughing so much throughout a horror film; I'm usually pretty squeamish. The blood splatter starts to get a little ridiculous, and the soap opera plot with the multiple twist(ed?) endings is almost mind-numbing. I enjoyed the cinematography, the architecture, and the music. The first few minutes are very disorienting now: biking to JFK Airport, leaving a bag unattended once there, smoking in the main concourse. Best moment: your literary agent has a secret room?
Rated 27 Nov 2024
daxvDaxV
Rated 16 Oct 2024
93
88th
As expected the visuals were pretty impressive in this, the music was great as well. I really liked the meta elements of the story too, so it joins the list of other great horror movies with meta elements. There are some insane and iconic kills in this movie, it's very bloody and gruesome all while being very stylish. It does get a little slow at times but makes up for it by the end.
Rated 16 Oct 2024
shockularSHOCKULAR
Rated 03 Oct 2024
84
82nd
Very entertaining prototypical giallo, with the style and atmosphere standing out while the acting/dubbing is a bit questionable. The plot is a bit more coherent than some giallos, though don't worry--it's still convoluted. There's a tracking shot that starts about 28 minutes into this that's pretty mind-blowing technically and must have been extremely complicated to achieve. Great stuff.
Rated 03 Oct 2024
tonydaltonydal
Rated 21 Oct 2023
40
11th
God, what a dorky resolution. "Highly improbable" indeed...plus you had to listen to some thoroughly lame disco music throughout. That lady screaming unendingly at the fade to black summed up my feelings exactly.
Rated 21 Oct 2023
gabrielpGabriel_p
Rated 13 Jun 2022
70
44th
There are too many plot holes and inconsistencies that in the plot. At first it's annoying but it gets to be funny after a while. The third act compensates some of the flaws with lots of gore.
Rated 13 Jun 2022
troothTrooth
Rated 16 Mar 2022
73
64th
A wicked murder mystery with another kickass opening soundtrack!
Rated 16 Mar 2022
evilmangoesEvilMangoes
Rated 07 Mar 2020
86
62nd
B+
Rated 07 Mar 2020
jentzejentze
Rated 15 Sep 2019
78
53rd
Great style combined with campy goofiness.
Rated 15 Sep 2019
pyrosexualpyrosexual
Rated 26 Jan 2019
75
43rd
Probably enjoyed this more than the other Argento movies I've seen but there are just some of his trademarks that I don't think I'll ever come to appreciate.
Rated 26 Jan 2019
fancymikeFancyMike
Rated 15 Oct 2018
4
60th
sorry i'm too busy listening to goblin and choking on a red heel to write a real review
Rated 15 Oct 2018
hulothulot
Rated 06 Sep 2018
80
82nd
watched: 2018, 2023
Rated 06 Sep 2018
picklemanPickle_Man
Rated 02 Feb 2018
90
78th
Fairly straightforward but elevated by the cinematography and score.
Rated 02 Feb 2018
wwallce4prezWWallce4prez
Rated 06 Nov 2017
82
80th
Bright colors, buckets of blood, beautiful women, and a rip-roaring score- everything Argento does best.
Rated 06 Nov 2017
driscarpindriscarpin
Rated 02 Oct 2017
85
78th
DVD Versátil Giallo Volume 1
Rated 02 Oct 2017
oskarhuoskarhu
Rated 19 Sep 2017
78
63rd
Something between a detective story and a horror film.
Rated 19 Sep 2017
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 11 May 2017
25
6th
Poor.
Rated 11 May 2017
kito1kito1
Rated 21 Mar 2017
80
89th
Completely ruthless and stylish. One of the best scores ever.
Rated 21 Mar 2017
hotsakehotsake
Rated 06 Jan 2017
60
51st
As I've found with all of Argento's films the story makes little sense and the are giant plot holes and lapses in logic. The dialogue and acting are also really terrible. The movie is strangely watchable even with all of it's faults and this time around I actually liked the Goblin soundtrack. There isn't a lot of gore or blood at least not until the final 10 minutes and even then it's not all that bad.
Rated 06 Jan 2017
silviosilvio
Rated 02 Nov 2016
100
94th
This movie will trick you. Beware. You'll enjoy the thrilling murders, despite yourself.
Rated 02 Nov 2016
chmulcr0nchmul_cr0n
Rated 26 Sep 2015
59
27th
:/
Rated 26 Sep 2015
lonewolf2003Lonewolf2003
Rated 03 Dec 2014
78
71st
(2nd viewing)
Rated 03 Dec 2014
schnofelschnofel
Rated 27 Nov 2014
57
48th
Let's give him that: while the daytime scenes meander along, he doesn't stick around at the end. The film cuts to black at the most emotional moment, the ugliest, the most revelatory. And I appreciate all the cinematic extremes that came before, though with murder sequences being the lone leitmotiv I do so only in a very meta way.
Rated 27 Nov 2014
karamazovkaramazov.
Rated 22 Jul 2014
48
63rd
Some really impressive gore and editing.
Rated 22 Jul 2014
nepetaNepeta
Rated 30 Oct 2013
65
35th
Trashy, but entertaining enough. The script and acting are often laughable and the plot is fairly dire stuff. Yet at the same time stylistically it is so bold and completely assured, and the visual imagination is a fair few steps above what anyone in their right mind could call trashy. And even if the acting is shoddy, Argento really knows how to cut together a scene.
Rated 30 Oct 2013
glm01glm01
Rated 16 Oct 2013
73
46th
73.000
Rated 16 Oct 2013
kingofjewkingofjew
Rated 26 Aug 2013
64
12th
I really dont get all the brouhaha with Argento movies. Some of them are visually impressive, others are well shot, but all lack something original , what a good horror movie must have ( ie halloween , texas chainsaw) to be memorable or good. ( I would say). Not a bad movie, just overall very 80's and by the book. Could someone pass me a Deodato or a Romero movie please??
Rated 26 Aug 2013
eric_janeric-jan
Rated 26 Aug 2013
50
2nd
Highly overrated. The lameness of this slashermovie is just beyond funny... Extremely poor acting, slow paced, dull, crappystory, crappy everything movie. And that's just me being nice ;)
Rated 26 Aug 2013
joojooJooJoo
Rated 06 Feb 2013
3
32nd
I need to rewatch my earlier Argento experiences. I remember more.
Rated 06 Feb 2013
glmglm
Rated 03 May 2012
74
52nd
74.000
Rated 03 May 2012
neonmanNeonman
Rated 21 Feb 2012
78
59th
There was just about nothing good about this film, yet I found it enjoyable anyway. The acting and script and cinematography and gore are all bad, but it feels to me like a comfortable sort of bad. Whatever misses the film swings it makes up for with an interesting tale of the dangerous repercussions of fiction when the troubled partake and the love/hate issues they have with women.
Rated 21 Feb 2012
publiusdPubliusD
Rated 29 Dec 2011
80
54th
Cool.
Rated 29 Dec 2011
sirrobbieSirRobbie
Rated 06 Aug 2011
70
53rd
Great killing scenes and good execution but I don't feel the same atmosphere as in other Argento films.
Rated 06 Aug 2011
iyisinekiyisinek
Rated 13 May 2011
79
81st
Cinayet, seri cinayet, kitap, yazar, roma, katil kim (tenebre adli romaninin lansmani icin romaya gelen yazar gelisiyle birlikte bir dizi cinayetle karsilasir. ilk cinayetle bir hirsiz, ikincisiyle iki lezbiyen öldürürlür. Sonra genc bir kiz daha öldürülür ve cinayetler devam eder. igiyle izleniyor. Müstehcen sahneler var.) Scream ve Seven'a benzer yönleri var.
Rated 13 May 2011
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 20 Apr 2011
56
12th
I might be hitting some kind of law of diminishing returns with Argento. It seems like he's repeating himself. It's feeling like less like a style and more like a template. And this time there just wasn't much payoff. Subpar acting and awful dialogue, the mystery and its resolution aren't very compelling, and there are only a couple of moments that are visually or thematically striking. It all felt kinda sloppy. Even the Goblin score wasn't that great this time around.
Rated 20 Apr 2011
graveyardtangraveyardtan
Rated 20 Dec 2010
75
44th
The plot makes no sense whatsoever, but it's extremely entertaining and, at times, quite scary.
Rated 20 Dec 2010
slantmagSlantMag
Rated 05 Nov 2010
40
97th
"Tenebre is a brilliant piece of self-reflexive cinema." - Ed Gonzalez
Rated 05 Nov 2010
amerigoamerigo
Rated 16 Jun 2010
65
12th
It's kinda hard to like a movie where all the characters are obnoxious and poorly dubbed into English.
Rated 16 Jun 2010
billkerwinbillkerwin
Rated 27 Jan 2010
78
35th
Interesting, atmospheric Italian horror film.
Rated 27 Jan 2010
mechatiggerMechatigger
Rated 11 Dec 2009
71
50th
Fans of Italian horror maestro Argento will recognize all of his trademarks here -- bloody murders, a confusing but involving plot, and a deafening, droning synthesizer score.
Rated 11 Dec 2009
frostyFrosty
Rated 18 Oct 2009
75
75th
A good movie made exceptional by one incredible sequence. The plot and dialogue are serviceable and act as a fine vehicle for what we came for - brilliant cinematography, creative murders, buckets of blood and a killer soundtrack.
Rated 18 Oct 2009
mavrodiefmavrodief
Rated 06 May 2009
80
93rd
One of Argento's best works!
Rated 06 May 2009
ivytivyt
Rated 07 Apr 2009
70
71st
Kind of a normal giallo-horror film, but it had me thinking the whole way through. Not Argento's masterpeice, but still pretty good.
Rated 07 Apr 2009
empiremagempiremag
Rated 18 Feb 2009
4
71st
"Genre defining horror movie."
Rated 18 Feb 2009
markkermodemarkkermode
Rated 16 Feb 2009
1
0th
"... legendary"
Rated 16 Feb 2009
clawxclawx
Rated 15 Dec 2008
80
61st
i think this is my favorite film by dario argento. it's just the most interesting, but John Saxon is the man.
Rated 15 Dec 2008
nathandarkoNathanDarko
Rated 29 Nov 2008
75
38th
Typical Giallo Movie by Argento. Only for fans of this Genre.Great Score by "Goblin" and some very good splatter effects make Tenebre solid and recommendable to those who liked Suspiria.
Rated 29 Nov 2008
cordellCordell
Rated 26 Sep 2008
85
78th
Dario Argento`s the master!
Rated 26 Sep 2008
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 15 Aug 2008
76
88th
good movie
Rated 15 Aug 2008
dean_franzDean Franz
Rated 18 Jun 2008
52
45th
Contains a bunch of lame attacks from Argento at his critics but it has a nice feel to it and the gore is outstanding.
Rated 18 Jun 2008
ubermenschubermensch
Rated 13 May 2008
85
48th
giallos! you will love this thrilling picture.
Rated 13 May 2008
stainStain
Rated 15 Jun 2007
60
47th
The signature Argento set-pieces are in place, but somehow this just doesn't work as well as his stuff normally does
Rated 15 Jun 2007

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