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Phenomena

Phenomena

1985
Crime
Fantasy
1h 56m
A young girl, with an amazing ability to communicate with insects, is transferred to an exclusive Swiss boarding school, where her unusual capability might help solve a string of murders. (imdb)
Your probable score
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Phenomena

1985
Crime
Fantasy
1h 56m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 54.63% from 876 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(876)
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Rated 18 Mar 2023
82
51st
Starring Jennifer Connelly, a chimpanzee, and Donald Pleasance's wonky Scottish accent. Very hit and miss, with some inexplicable music choices, but worth seeing for the absolutely bonkers ending.
Rated 07 Nov 2016
80
81st
This movie is almost gleefully proud of the fact that it's not aiming to be a classy piece of cinema. The rad soundtrack (often used inappropriately), the silly dialogue and the unexpected craziness add up to something delightfully unhinged. Once that grieving monkey pulled a razor blade out of the garbage I knew I was in for a treat. Best of all, my expectations were still topped in that batshit crazy finale.
Rated 11 Dec 2016
80
77th
Dario Argento sitting with his feet up at his desk, tapping a pencil on his teeth. "Monkey Butler" circled and underlined.
Rated 28 Oct 2012
4
70th
A goofy-as-hell mash-up of ethereal beauty, bizarre humor and violent (and sometimes genuinely creepy) horror. And fuck if it doesn't end exactly like I was hoping it would. Argento's nighttime cinematography is killer. Laughed my ass off at the metal soundtrack, though.
Rated 03 Sep 2010
70
63rd
Jennifer Connelly communicates telepathically with insects who help her solve a series of murders in a Swiss boarding school. It's dripping with atmosphere and style, has a wicked soundtrack that includes Goblin, Iron Maiden AND Motorhead, and has an awesome, gore smeared, WTF ending. Plus Connelly is just so damned cute covered in maggots. It's probably also the only film you'll ever see with a chimp brandishing a straight razor.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
79
70th
Jennifer Connelly, mutant children, insect swarms of Biblical proportions, Iron Maiden and Motorhead on the soundtrack, chimps with knives... this movie has it all!
Rated 26 Jun 2013
70
58th
This is lunacy, in the most positive sense of the word. Insect attacks, gory violence, Donald Pleasence with a Scottish accent, bizarre plotting, oddball characters and a revenge-fuelled razor-wielding chimp. This is all set to a soundtrack featuring Goblin, good as ever, and some jarringly incongruous heavy metal. The young Connelly is a compelling lead, and most of the other performances are fine. This is surreal, gruesome, bizarre and, ultimately, quite rewarding.
Rated 28 Oct 2012
8
80th
Could have used some editing but when this film is at its best it makes for some great psycho-horror Halloween entertainment. Argento's night-time photography is gorgeous, Connelly fits the lead role nicely and the final 10 minutes are impossible to describe. Let's just say after a frightening turn of events and a series of bizarre and horrible moments you find yourself applauding, in hysterical laughter, a chimpanzee named Inga. Basically, Argento is a lot of fun. Watch it.
Rated 21 Apr 2011
75
54th
There are many elements in common with other Argento films, but it was different enough to catch me off-guard. There's some truly weird stuff, fantastic stylization, and genuine surprises. The dialogue is often terrible, but the performances aren't that bad. Some of the music is wonderful, but there's also some drastically inappropriate metal. Visually I was impressed, especially during in the more surreal scenes. I probably wouldn't watch this again, but it has some terrific moments.
Rated 26 Oct 2020
69
59th
Still not as disturbing as Ed, where the monkey is a baseball player. Between working with Italian director Dario Argento, and alongside David Bowie in Labrynthe, it seems pertinent to ask, "What in the hell were Jennifer Connelly's parents thinking?
Rated 28 Oct 2012
5
69th
Argento infuses this horror-mystery with a balanced mix of dark humor and psychological horror. While it's undoubtedly more goofy than scary, Argento's trademark sinister atmosphere and camerawork more than make up for its narrative flaws. The ending is spectacular, surreal and satisfying. It may not be a great film, but it's hugely enjoyable. And then there's that monkey. God bless that monkey. Also, TheDiceman, you realize Connelly was 15 at this time, right? You 40-year-old pedophile.
Rated 30 Dec 2013
18
18th
Quick, somebody tell Uwe Boll that the best way to transform his poorly conceived shitfests into imdb gold is by splicing in a few shots of Jennifer Connelly in her underwear and handing a chimp a shaving razor. Still, no matter how soul-crushingly boring, a 90 minute movie should never take more than three days to watch...
Rated 26 Apr 2008
70
57th
Fundamentally a classic murder-mystery, but in shape and spirit something quite dynamic and eccentric. Argento's playful pasta salad is tasteful, entertaining and humorous, but never as magically enchanting as his more coherently atmospheric and carefully structured films. Argento seem to have put most effort into the last 25 minutes, depicting the hysterical climax with energy and a certain strange elegance. An odd, pleasureable film.
Rated 25 Jan 2010
74
69th
I really only wanted one thing, and that ape totally delivered.
Rated 30 Oct 2017
75
59th
For three quarters of the film I thought, "it's good but maybe not my favorite of Argento's." Then the finale happens. It still may not be as magical as something like Suspiria, but it sure is entertaining.
Rated 12 Nov 2014
80
80th
The plot and pacing are all over the place, but it's stylish, entertaining and has that classic Argento elegance all over it. There is actually some decent acting going on too and Daria Nicolodi is riotously over the top. The musical theme by Goblin is great and the lighter tone & mainstreamesque sensibility go down well with the more bonkers plot elements. The final 15 minutes are also unforgettably insane. No one else could think this shit up let alone put it on screen. Dario you crazy man...
Rated 03 Dec 2011
75
52nd
I rate it this high only because of the final ten minutes where a telepathic chick sends a swarm of insects to kill a mutated child of a homicidal maniac, only to be once again conked on the head by the villian and then subsequently the villian is killed with a straight razor by a doctor's assistant, who just so happens to be a chimpanzee. You can't make this crap up.
Rated 19 Oct 2018
80
75th
This film showed a monkey butler early in the film, and much like Chekov's Gun, it went off with a bang in the third act.
Rated 13 Aug 2018
70
61st
Donald Pleasance playing a mensch was a rare treat. He actually succeeded at making me feel more safe and secure when he was around despite being an exposition machine—how many horror movie authority figures actually pull off the comfort and safety part? Juvenile Connelly kinda stunk, The soundtrack ruled, what with having FUCKEN MAIDEN and all. The plot in four words: it kinda has one.
Rated 23 Feb 2011
68
53rd
An insectual ride starring a maiden Connelly and a heavy metal soundtrack, which seems unusual for a supernatural horror. Nonetheless, it has a chimp in a leading role who sure knows how to wield a blade and the story kicks off with a bus of Danish girls being murdered, so, that's always fun. It surpasses previously bad acting and weird dialog of any Argento but the insanity of the plot, and stupidity of delivery, is saved by a meth-oozing OST making me trip and root for murderous monkeys.
Rated 19 Jan 2017
93
78th
Equal parts brilliant and horrible. I love Argento for his overly dramatic dialogue, operatic moods, and beautiful directing. Phenomena might be his most absurd movie. Without giving anything away, here is what I'd say: Phenomena is like a good Hall and Oates song. It's cheesy and you know it, but you can't help liking it. If anything, the cheese only heightens your appreciation. If you like camp and you like horror, you'll like Phenomena. I know I did.
Rated 29 Nov 2008
82
57th
The best Argento Movie together with Suspiria.
Rated 26 Jun 2010
45
48th
Wow this was boring... boring story, not enough kills to be interesting... however the end is worth it. The monkey is awesome!
Rated 11 Oct 2014
75
77th
I think Deep Red is Argento's best movie, and Suspiria is probably his most beautiful and interesting movie. But, Phenomena is my favorite. This movie is a giant insane mess. But a fun, exhilarating, scary, exuberant mess. The last 20 minutes are especially ridiculous, so watch it all the way through!
Rated 21 Oct 2010
50
10th
I seriously don't know what to say about this movie. It is so utterly fucked that I've never seen anything like it. When the movie is over, you sit back with this in your head: "What.. the fuck..?" and you also think that quite alot throughout the movie. The chimpanzee was my favourite character! But still: "What.. the fuck..?" - I've given it 50 points because I don't know what to say or think.
Rated 04 Mar 2009
20
20th
If I had control of insects, I would just make them leave me alone.
Rated 15 Dec 2008
75
38th
I only saw the cut version but it was still a pretty entertaining movie. A very interesting premise and hey it's got Donald Pleasence and a monkey!
Rated 14 Mar 2007
15
2nd
No joke! this is one of the worst films I have ever seen.I have to give it some credit for the monkey who is a superstar along with Donald Pleasence for making an effort and Jennifer Connelly who is very nice to look at but nothing else.
Rated 18 Jun 2016
75
81st
the basic Ms of awesome filmmaking: murder, monkeys, maggots, maiden, motörhead. and oh man...i can relate to any wild animal wanting to chew on jennifer connelly, even if it's just a finger. yum. yeah, i'm weird.
Rated 27 Oct 2013
56
53rd
Straight-razor wielding chimpanzee = best deus ex machina ever?
Rated 18 Jun 2008
20
21st
A movie that includes a razorwielding chimp, Donald Pleasence and a girl that can talk to bugs should never be this boring.
Rated 26 Nov 2014
68
69th
I wish Argento could have ever pulled his narratives together, so that they might be more than a playground for phantasmagorical nightmare visions. Yet if we're rating his films on the scale of these, the invention and insanity of his retreat into the Swiss Alps is off the charts.
Rated 21 Dec 2014
85
91st
I'm writing this after seeing Phenomena for the first time and all I can think about is one of the most wild, insane final acts I've ever seen in a movie. I can't go into detail and ruin it, but I have so little words anyway. I liked the pulpy horror vibe of the movie before, but the absurdity of the finale pushes it over the edge into something that I think has to be seen once. Is it amazing? Hilarious? I'll side with what are possibly Dario Argento's most terrifying scenes. I'm a fan.
Rated 04 Nov 2007
70
42nd
Not the most coherent story (even for Argento) and it doesn't quite reach the same pitch of magnificent atmospheric terror that Argento's best pictures do, but it's always pretty interesting and has some seriously strange surprises.
Rated 04 Nov 2023
100
92nd
Masterpiece. Best Dario Argento movie
Rated 07 Jan 2024
7
61st
Connelly is riveting, a year before she was the center of the movie Labyrinth. Oooky horror and I can't handle horror but it's worth watching. Also, in the making of this, Connelly had part of her finger bitten off by a chimp!
Rated 10 Jul 2011
70
53rd
The first 20 minutes and the last 30 min are excellent. The middle part is underdeveloped. Connelly is a true angel in this (a brave angel I must say).
Rated 27 Jan 2013
4
55th
Equal parts comedy and horror.
Rated 13 Mar 2021
40
10th
I almost instantly forgot about this movie. I have feeling that it was colossally stupid and boring.
Rated 29 Dec 2011
63
11th
63
Rated 09 Oct 2021
50
48th
So far my favorite Argento because of how fucking bonkers it is, could have used more Donald Pleasence though.
Rated 27 Apr 2015
70
38th
It's pretty garbage, but it's still somehow so damn entertaining. Like Tenebrae, there's almost no redeeming qualities about the film itself, but it still just works. A lot of the acting is terrible, the dialogue is downright awful, the heavy metal soundtrack is sometimes terribly inappropriate -- nonetheless, it's so fun to see a film that trashily indulges in the supernatural and the ephebophilic, along with a handful of maggots and other nasty goodiness.
Rated 26 Feb 2015
87
90th
Yeah, thats right, tier 9. This film does what it does, and it's a ton of fun.
Rated 10 Oct 2023
70
37th
The music is good, and lots of goofy charm.
Rated 22 Feb 2016
50
34th
Yet another beloved Argento film that I don't get. Has a heavy Metal soundtrack that sometimes works but mostly doesn't. A young Jennifer Connelly who play a strong psychic heroine, but spends half the movie staring off into space or wandering around. It definitely picks up during the last 20 or so minutes of the movie.
Rated 16 May 2020
58
42nd
Stylish nonsense.
Rated 15 Apr 2022
45
13th
What a mess.
Rated 20 May 2012
20
1st
What a fucking snoozefest, I started nodding off after a while so I missed parts of it though. Don't waste your time with this.
Rated 15 Jul 2014
9
99th
det ligger något skevt i soundtracket, manus, skådespelet som skapar en stämning som skiljer sig från allt annat jag fått av film. slutet är fantastiskt, man ba WAOW. hela världen skakade i sömmarna efteråt.
Rated 27 Nov 2023
70
41st
It is a strange movie but somehow works, kinda.
Rated 13 Jan 2017
70
47th
Worth watching at least once just for the fact that such a movie exists. It's a odd film and it feels campy at times (in a good way). It's shot well and Goblin delivers again with the score. I wish the villain's motivation were more clear, but the story seemed more coherent here than in Suspiria. Still this isn't as good as Deep Red, but I can think of a lot of slasher films that are much worse.
Rated 21 Mar 2007
63
9th
First of all, I love Heavy Metal. But what the **** was Argento thinking when he decided to use Iron Maiden and Motorhead on the soundtrack, ruining every bit of suspense?!
Rated 31 Mar 2007
60
47th
One of Dario's lesser efforts. (Although I admit that I saw the American version entitled _Creepers_. If the European version is really better somebody please message me about it)
Rated 10 Mar 2024
76
60th
By coincidence, this is the second movie I've watched in a row that features a stairlift kill, and I have to say Gremlins did it better.
Rated 26 Nov 2009
100
99th
Argento's greatest!
Rated 20 Dec 2018
85
66th
Easily the weirdest Argento I've yet seen, and yet also the most conventional and pop-sensible. Honestly it's quite a mess, but a beautifully photographed, highly enjoyable and loveably earnest one.
Rated 16 Oct 2013
73
46th
72.500
Rated 27 Apr 2017
76
58th
This is a real scrambled egg of a film & perhaps shouldn't have invited so much comparison to its smarter, scarier, more restrained older sister Suspiria - but hey, it's still a great time!
Rated 04 Apr 2020
40
24th
Under Quarantine Film Reviews #28: First of all, the first half is excruciatingly boring with awful writing and acting from everyone except the chimp and Pleasence. The music cues were so strange, ruined any bit of suspense it had (if it had any). However, it sort of salvaged itself in the last 20 with an absolutely bonkers chain of events, but by then the damage had already been done.
Rated 18 Feb 2009
25
18th
"Worth catching if you're a hardcore Argento fan. Otherwise, pass."
Rated 21 Mar 2021
40
11th
Stupid-ass shit like most of the Argento films. Bad dialogue, stupid protagonist, plot holes and monkey.
Rated 29 Oct 2008
67
48th
Gruesome and nonsensical Argento with an unforgettable ending.
Rated 06 Dec 2018
87
92nd
the wintery blue colour palette in contrast with tenebre's fiery reds is stunning.
Rated 05 Nov 2010
30
78th
"Phenomena (a.k.a. Creepers) provides what is alternately Argento's most batty and spiritual landscape." - Ed Gonzalez
Rated 28 Mar 2021
65
45th
I think I may have to face the idea that I just don't enjoy Dario Argento movies very often. Connelly, Nicolodi, & Pleasence- whose Scottish accent is hilarious- are solid here, but the story makes way too little sense & frankly it's all a really confusing mess of ideas even by Argento standards. Jennifer spends pretty much the whole thing being a massive idiot, the soundtrack is baffling, & none of the subplots feel fleshed out remotely enough. The monkey is pretty cool, though.
Rated 30 Jan 2013
70
19th
I WANT TO FUCK CONNELLY IN HER FACE
Rated 21 May 2009
20
44th
Jeepers! A sweet young somnambulist who communicates with insects is a pleasantly ridiculous idea. But other ideas to come along are just ridiculous, or quite unpleasantly ridiculous (e.g., the razor-wielding monkey), and despite some flickering signs of imagination (a girls' school situated in Richard Wagner's Swiss estate), one has the feeling that Argento is pushing himself just to keep pace with the latest developments in screen gruesomeness.
Rated 26 Apr 2012
70
44th
69.875
Rated 28 Dec 2008
2
33rd
Review is for the American version. Stylish and imaginative. The premise is goofy, and the acting is pretty rough, but it passes the time, and Jennifer Connelly is positively gorgeous.
Rated 20 Aug 2008
83
93rd
Nice
Rated 22 Sep 2013
77
71st
IRON MAIDEN. that chimp was pretty metal too. gore was great, and if you've watched anything from italy before you already know you're gonna be scratching your head over the story but the suspense was good.
Rated 29 Oct 2008
30
3rd
Didn't even finish it...too boring!!!
Rated 25 Feb 2024
82
79th
Horror as only Argento can do it. The acting is wooden and the plot is nonsensical, but as usual it's more about the atmosphere, the mood, and the lighting and sound. This one covers everything from telepathic insects who can communicate with a teenage Jennifer Connelly to a chimpanzee in a very fun film. Thoroughly enjoyable stuff.
Rated 20 Sep 2015
45
13th
What a mess. No just narratively speaking. This movie would be so much better if it would go full-on exploitation instead of saving all the good stuff for the first 5 and the last 10 minutes.
Rated 02 Jul 2013
70
39th
some good moment's.
Rated 10 Dec 2009
43
12th
Misshapen but passable horror film.
Rated 26 Apr 2009
69
14th
"Phenomena becomes a decently done horror film during the last half of the movie. Unfortunately, the audience has to sit through over an hour of boring exposition before they get to the good stuff."
Rated 19 Mar 2009
20
23rd
"Phenomema constantly skirts the edge of being something unique and enthralling, but at each turn Argento turns up the volume a bit too loud or piles on just a bit too much."
Rated 07 Sep 2010
85
87th
So many bizarre stylistic choices and so much wooden acting. Somehow, all of this ends up adding up to awesome. One of the best final sequences in film history (not even kidding). This is easily the best Argento film I've seen, but damn him I'm so ambivalent about how sexy I find Jennifer Connelly... :(
Rated 22 Oct 2019
83
64th
This one is really cool and I wish I watched this before Suspiria. I appreciate all the different directions this goes in, it makes for a unique viewing experience. The camera work is also a plus. There are many nice visuals.

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