The Psychic (1977)
7/10
Mysterious and enjoyable Giallo by expert Lucio Fulci about a clairvoyant envisions strange deaths
20 August 2020
This is a scary and intriguing film with a twisted plot , plenty of grisly killings , relentles suspense , ghastly mystery , astonishing images , gory events and well staged murders. A psychic woman (Jennifer O'Neil) discovers a skeleton in a wall in her husband's house , and seeks to find the truth about what occurred to the victim . Along with her psychiatrist friend (Marc Porel) , she seeks to find out the truth about who the person was and who put her there . Meanwhile her suspect husband (Gianni Garco) is imprisoned accused for killing . Early rare deeds begin to happen to them , as she along with husband's sister (Evelyn Stewart) start investigating , discovering weird characters (Gabriele Ferzetti) and tragic murders . Soon enough, she begins realizing the possibility that she may share the victim's fate . Suddenly she could see into the future...and saw her own murder...Suddenly and without warning it's tomorrow... and you're dead.

Chilling Italian terror flick full of screams , chills, thrills , twists and turns .This is an alright Giallo where intrigue , tension , suspense appear threatening and lurking in grim mansions , in every room , corridors and luxurious houses , as well as exteriors , and with numerous suspicious people . The main premise results to be to guess who's the killer among a lot of suspect people . A properly creepy Giallo movie fully of thrills , chills , suspense and frightening happenings , particularly when our starring -who attempts to alter the killing prediction- is mercilessly chased by a mysterious murderer . These Giallo movies are characterized by overblown use of color with shining red blood , usual zooms , originally staged crimes with seemingly fascination by razors and knifes , use of images-shock and a lot of plot twists . Being the principal representatives of this sub-genre : Riccardo Freda , Mario Bava , Dario Argento and Lucio Fulci . Stars the beautiful Jennifer O'Neil , recent her successful Summer 42 , here plays well a psychic who inspired by a vision, smashes open a section of wall in her husband's home and finds a skeleton behind it . Gorgeous Jennifer O'Neil is well accompanied by a fine support cast, such as : Gabriele Ferzetti , Marc Porel , Gianni Garko who acted in a lot of Spahetti westerns as well as Bruno Corazzari , Jenny Tamburi who performed various Sex Comedy and Evelyn Stewart who starred several Giallos.

Colorful and adequate cinematography by cameraman Sergio Salvati who photographed splendidly interior and outdoors . This photographer to get the best sightseeing by adequate filming , using nice cameras to capture the flavor of urban . Eerie musical score composed and conducted by Walter Rizzati, as Frizzi, Fulci's regular , and composing in Goblin style . The motion picture was compellingly directed by Luccio Fulci who makes of it pretty eerie and chilly . The motion picture was made by one of the most controversial filmmakers of terror movies , here Lucio Fulci shoots in his usual style with flaws and gaps but being professionally made because he was a skilled craftsman . Reviewers are divided over booth the morals and talents of Fulci (1927-1996) who sometimes directed under the alias ¨Louis Fuller¨. For some critics many of his movies are cruel and shockingly violent, yet their gory surface often conceals religious, social commentaries or intelligent issues. Whether he should be viewed as a cheap sensationalist or just a genius Fulci has a loyal fan base and undeniably has an important and unique influence on the terror genre , creating great works on a medium/low budget such as proved in ¨The black cat¨, ¨Demonia¨, ¨Voices from beyond¨, ¨Manhattan baby¨, ¨Gates of Hell¨, ¨The Beyond¨, ¨Island of the living dead¨, ¨Zombie 3¨ , ¨New York ripper¨ , ¨Don't torture a duckling¨ , among them . This Giallo that tried to disguised itself under many other titles will appeal to Lucio Fulci aficionados , being essential and indispensable watching for their fans . Rating : 7/10 . Better than average Giallo from Fulci .
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