Riccardo Freda’s last
directorial feature may be flawed, but it is one beautiful looking movie where familiar
and highly significant genre actors such as BLACK SUNDAY’s John Richardson, BLACK EMANUELLE’s Laura Gemser, and giallo favorite Anita Strindberg (her last starring role) come together in a dark
and mysterious series of murders, ceremonies, and somnambulant wanderings in a
secluded villa. With its modern Gothic
setting and indulgently directed sequences, MURDER OBSESSION feels like an
exceptional finale from the man who brought the world the pioneering Italian horror
effort I VAMPIRI and the unsurpassed and hypnotically psychedelic bloodbath in
TRAGIC CEREMONY. The film effectively
establishes the right mood by forcing a throwback to candlelight on account of
the mansion’s electrical wiring malfunctioning, and along with the rich and
vibrant colors as well as the lead character’s hairstyle and mustachio; the
overall feeling is like a ‘60s Gothic in an ‘80s movie. Two of my favorite things…
While playing the role of a killer during the
filming of a movie, the lead character, Michael (Stefano Patrizi), is introduced as a movie star and a shady person
when he takes the method-acting technique a little too far by nearly strangling
his co-star, Beryl (Gemser). Although he might not be the most appealing
or likable, the unease brought on by the character of Michael makes for an
interesting lead that may or may not have a dormant impulse for murder. This creates one of surprisingly few red
herrings in a murder mystery plot with pretty vicious death scenes where
everyone dies except for the killer and one other final character, resulting in
one of those fun horrific endings that is like Oh my god! How could you!? No….
Nooooooooooo!!!! Roll end credits.
