The Cat o' Nine Tails
Argento’s second feature knots itself into a whodunnit that’s equal parts pulp thriller and grisly sideshow. The Cat O’Nine Tails has the essentials: vivid suspects, inventive murders, and a slinky Morricone score that keeps the tension taut. The oddball pairing of a blind crossword designer and his precocious niece brings warmth, though their sleuthing never gets the space it deserves.
When Argento stages a set piece, he’s at his best—the train station killing early on is a stylish standout, and the later deaths each find their own lurid flourish. A streak of dark humour flickers through, a sly reminder that style is as much the point as suspense. Yet the mystery sprawls, stretching longer than it needs to. Not Argento at his peak, but a blood-streaked stepping stone that shows how quickly he was finding his signature.
When Argento stages a set piece, he’s at his best—the train station killing early on is a stylish standout, and the later deaths each find their own lurid flourish. A streak of dark humour flickers through, a sly reminder that style is as much the point as suspense. Yet the mystery sprawls, stretching longer than it needs to. Not Argento at his peak, but a blood-streaked stepping stone that shows how quickly he was finding his signature.
Mini Review: Argento’s second feature is a knotty mix of pulp and grisly spectacle. The Cat O’Nine Tails offers vivid suspects, inventive murders, and Morricone’s slinky score. A blind crossword designer and his niece add charm, though their sleuthing is underused. The train station killing is a standout, but the mystery drags. Not peak Argento, yet a blood-streaked step toward it.