Written by: Jase Marsiglia
A German clairvoyant, played by Macha Méril, is brutally attacked by a gloved assailant in her Italian apartment shortly after a public reading in which she had a shocking vision of a violent death — and the killer among her audience. Tragically, her premonition proves accurate, and her gruesome murder with a meat cleaver is witnessed from the street by jazz pianist Marcus Daly (David Hemmings of "Blow-Up").
As Marcus speaks with the police, he notices something about the crime scene that feels “off,” though he can’t pinpoint what it is. He catches the attention of a flirtatious reporter looking for a sensational story, the effervescent Daria Nicolodi as Gianna, who is intrigued that Marcus witnessed the murder and is unwilling to ignore the inconsistencies at the scene. Teaming up with a parapsychology professor, Giordani (Glauco Mauri), who hosted the conference where the psychic made her prediction, the trio attempts to trace the clues to the killer. Meanwhile, more horrific murders begin occurring around them, carried out by a murderer who seems aware that someone is on their trail.
“DEEP RED” (1975)
⭐⭐⭐
"Deep Red" represents one of Dario Argento’s last true giallo mysteries before he transitioned almost exclusively to horror. The film explores the trickiness of perception, the uncertainty of memory, and ineffective authorities, while following another everyman witness who becomes obsessed with solving the crimes, seemingly for his own closure or thrill. As with "The Bird with the Crystal Plumage", Argento weaves paintings and music into the story as key motifs, and once again, the prog rock band Goblin provides a tense, unforgettable score. Hemmings and Nicolodi make a compelling pair, with his no-nonsense demeanor and her breezy, carefree personality creating a delightfully amusing mismatch. One of the film’s lighter moments comes when Gianna challenges Marcus to an arm wrestle to debunk his cavalier sexism — a rare comedic beat in a filmography not overflowing with humor. Their partnership, reluctant as it may be, remains endearing and hints at the potential for future collaborations.
As always, Argento unfolds his story deliberately, ensuring that every clue aligns and no shortcuts are taken, relying on his signature cinematic sleight of hand. With a series of brutal murders, a clever and engrossing plot, and one unforgettable creepy puppet, "Deep Red" serves as a bridge between Argento’s pulp mysteries and his later paranormal thrillers. Be cautious of truncated “export” cuts from America, which remove nearly thirty minutes of scenes, gore, and plot exposition. To experience the film fully, the Italian director’s cut is essential.
Home Video
There are countless releases of "Deep Red", ranging from excellent to subpar, but the most comprehensive is Arrow Video’s 2021 Limited Edition 4K UHD set. It includes an audio commentary with critics Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson, interviews with director Dario Argento, actors Daria Nicolodi, Macha Méril, Gabriele Lavia, Lino Capolicchio, and production manager Angelo Lacono, as well as multiple image galleries. Archival material features commentary by Thomas Rostock, the "Profondo Giallo" documentary, trailers, and featurettes such as "Rosso Recollections", "The Lady in Red", "Music to Murder For", and "Profondo Rosso: From Celluloid to Shop". The set also contains both versions of the film (Italian director’s cut and shorter export version), six reproduction lobby cards, fold-out posters, a collectible booklet, and a reversible cover insert, all housed in a sleek, hard outer box — a must-have for collectors.
Bits ‘n’ Pieces
Traum-A-Meter:
3 out of 4.
Not the most gruesome of Argento’s films, but when the violence lands, it hits hard: brutal stabbings, a drowning in scalding water complete with a boiled face, impalement, vehicular dragging, and a decapitation that makes you think twice about leaving your jewelry at home.
Today’s Jam: While applying that sinister eyeliner for a night out, maybe put on Frankie Valli’s “My Eyes Adored You,” which topped the charts the weekend "Deep Red" stalked theaters.
This Episode’s Moral: Want to stay safe? Don’t get involved.
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