Those who know me know that unless a giallo film was made by Argento or Fulci chances are I’m not going to like it. Yes, It’s true I’ve never really been a big fan outside those two names, but have seen my share of them. Sure there are some that I like. But in all honestly I have always found it hard to site though a giallo film where there is no good action or great story. The good thing about Darkness Surrounds Roberta is that not only is it a tribute to the giallo film, but in terms of story it stands on it’s own.
Darkness Surrounds Roberta is about a women named Roberta (Yassmin Pucci) a once very well known artist who know spends most of her time screwing around playing sex games and beating and choking men who want their fantasies played out and so on. But now, there is a killer on the loose and Roberta is just happens to be this killers admires Roberta in some odd way that he begins to kill the people that she surrounds herself with. Meanwhile there are two guys, a former American detective (Joe Zaso) and his Italian partner on the search for the killer. However Roberta finds herself in some kind of cult like place where a lot of weird shit is going on that involves both sexual pleasure and pain.
There is a lot going on in this film, and the script really catches the feel of a classic giallo film. The entire production was filmed on location in Florence, Italy, and the style in which it was shot, and the music really capture that giallo feel. The script does start off slow, but then picks up as the plot movie along. It’s got that very uneasy feel to it, that keeps you on the edge of your seat as the script does pull some psychological punches. It’s a decent script with some decently written dialogue and a story that really captures that whole giallo feel.
The film’s acting is alright, I mean we’re not getting Academy award winning performances but the cast held their own and did a decent job with the script. The film does have some known American faces in the film such as Raine Brown, and Joe Zaso and even German director Timo Rose has a cameo. So yes you kind of got a BARRICADE reunion going on. Scream Queen Eileen Daly also has a role in the film and then you have Yassmin Pucci as Roberta.
The production value is pretty good, and it actually really captures that feel it needs. The set design, locations, lighting and the look of the film give us that giallo feel. The make-up effects are also very good, there is a lot of blood and guts to go around, even though there is nothing original about the kills it still gets very bloody. The film does have some unpleasant scenes that are very creepy, and yes there is plenty of nudity. Speaking of nudity; NO! Raine Brown does not get nude in this film, but there is a pretty long sex scene that involves her, let’s just say really playing the part well. ( I know every fan boy is rushing to the website to buy a copy now.) The killer in this film, which I really won’t talk much about because I don’t want to reveal who it is; wears a very simple, yet effective looking mask that resembles that of the devil. It’s very creepy and is one of the main elements that adds to the scare factor of this film.
Overall, while I’ve never really been a huge fan of the giallo films this one hold it’s own with some great looking shots and it’s sense to scare and really capture the overall feel of what a true giallo film should be like. Fans of giallo movies should really pick up a copy of this film, as I’m sure it won’t disappoint. It’s probably the best giallo film I’ve seen is a long time.
– Horror Bob
- Interview with J.R. Bookwalter - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Andrew J. Rausch - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Rick Popko and Dan West - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Director Stevan Mena (Malevolence) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Screenwriter Jeffery Reddick (Day of the Dead 2007) - January 22, 2015
- Teleconference interview with Mick Garris (Masters of Horror) - January 22, 2015
- A Day at the Morgue with Corri English (Unrest) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Writer/Director Nacho Cerda (The Abandoned, Aftermath) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actress Thora Birch (Dark Corners, The Hole, American Beauty) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actor Jason Behr, Plus Skinwalkers Press Coverage - January 22, 2015
