Opera(1987)(Review)

Dario Argento is considered one of the godfathers of modern horror – especially when discussing thrillers, serial killers, and giallos. He’s had many successes during his career (and still making movies today at the age of 83), and one that has had a strong reputation for years is ‘Opera’.

‘Opera’ is the story of Betty – an opera singer who is given an opportunity to star in a big, contemporary version of ‘Macbeth’ when the lady she’s understudying has an accident. She’s nervous but talented, and her first show goes very well. However, with the spotlight comes attention – and for Betty, hers manifests in the form of a masked & gloved killer who murders her friends. It’s never that simple though, for he likes to tie Betty up, tape her mouth shut, tape sharp pins under her eyes so she cannot look away or close them, and murders her friends right in front of her. He does this a handful of times with each kill becoming more gruesome than the last until we eventually discover whose doing this and why.

In typical giallo fashion, it’s a fascinating whodunnit of a film that is filled to the brim with captivating and ingenious camera tricks, a memorable setting, loud bombastic music and sound effects, and a certain charm that only the Italians could capture at the time. It’s an English-language film but has the usual voice-overs that make it feel extra surreal.

While the film itself is entertaining and clever, I personally found it to be a bit ‘meh’ in comparison to Argento’s other works. The camerawork is incredible and the idea of making Betty watch the murders is very clever, but as a whole the film felt kind of improvised -and not necessarily in a good way. He’s certainly had more glamorous set pieces in the past, but he does have one very good one that involves the actual reveal of the killer’s identity. But the film then has an almost 15-minute long finale after the fact that just seems to meander… I’m not quite sure why it goes the way it goes, and it took me out a bit, but I still would say I liked this film.

If you’re new to the world of Italian Giallos or Dario Argento, I believe this is a solid entryway into the world. But I do prefer ‘Suspiria’ or ‘Tenebrae’ better myself. But truthfully, you can never go wrong with a good Argento film.

3/5
“Opera” is currently streaming on Shudder.

‘Til Next Time,
Mike Cleopatra

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