This is the second of Dario Argento's slated "Three Mothers Trilogy", and has a stronger-emphasis on alchemical symbolism, and occultism. For this reason, it is more psychological, more thematic, and doesn't follow normal narrative-conventions. For most horror-fans in North America, this means: boring. Sometimes, it's hard to disagree with them, but this is still a horror-masterpiece for all its weaknesses. Born-from one of Argento's bouts with hepatitis (Heroin? Argento has been known to do drugs), the film was a difficult-experience for Il Maestro, and described as a "hellish"-shoot.
The Argento-clan had attempted a co-production and distribution-deal with 20th Century Fox, ending with the film being-shown everywhere but the United States! Only great American corporation and bureaucracy can achieve this. BUT, what a failure! From-the-get-go, there is mayhem and the fantastical, shot in a color-palette that more-resembles graphic novel horror of the time it was made (even a little Bernie Wrightson is present), than "Suspiria" does. Fangoria has reported that Argento is in-fact creating the final-part of this trilogy, right now. It has also been reported that Jace Anderson and Adam Gierasch, the co-writers of the Argento-infused "Toolbox Murders" (2004) will be doing the screenplay, which is exciting! They had better hurry, Dario Argento is nearing-66. Now, if someone would please give Ken Russell a theatrical horror-project again (actually, they HAVE!for a horror-anthology).
The genesis of Inferno's plot is disputed by Argento's former-lover (and mother of Asia), Daria Niccolodi, as it is directly-tied to Suspiria and the Three Mothers. However, I believe that Dario Argento was already intimately-acquainted with Thomas DeQuincy's "Confessions of an Opium Eater", and though Niccolodi did contribute greatly to Suspiria, the overarching-story (and cosmology) is his creation. Asia also backs-him on this, a woman known as much for her beauty as her literacy and directness. There is a touch of the "Gnostic-mythos" in Inferno, too. The Three Mothers are described as weaving-our-reality, controlling what we see, and ruling-over-us as "poisonous-mothers". They are sub-deities of deeper, darker-powers...emanations, but of-what? Maybe it's obvious, but most of the horror in a Dario Argento film is feminine, and he certainly fears women (who doesn't?). His take on this fear is unique in horror.
The tale begins in New York City, away from the German-setting of Suspiria. Each Mother is situated-within a Mansion, one-each near-or-in a major metropolis, carefully-triangulated to weave-their-web-of-illusion over us. The main-characters stumble-upon these lairs, usually living in them! Inferno is a film of curiosity and discovery, and as we all know, discovery is a horror-reveal. The film is at-once a child's dream, and a horrible-reality of murder and madness. Argento ably combines his alchemical-horror with his giallo-roots for the murders, and it simply explodes. There are definitely lulls where the film lags, but I advise all viewers to CRANK the volume, as these scenes are subtle in the sound-design, and made for atmosphere.
Inferno is an allegory. If you ever wondered about the reality beneath-ours, Inferno will reward you. What is truly creepy about this film is, there are occult groups and individuals like this in our world, such as the suicidal "Solar Temple" in Switzerland, occult-networks, a ritual-murder by Daniel and Manuela Ruda in the UK (convicted, 2002), the rise of satanic-killings in Italy by youth, and-more. And this is NOT coming-from a Christian. The Anchor Bay DVD for this film was put-together by William Lustig and Blue Underground, and it is excellent all-around. When judging a film and a director, examine how much they were able to create within their respective-budgets. Taken-alongside contemporary Hollywood-fare, Argento always beats-them, like all great directors. He could make a masterpiece with the catering-budget of any of the "blockbusters". Even at-65, he has more of a future than most of Hollywood
The Argento-clan had attempted a co-production and distribution-deal with 20th Century Fox, ending with the film being-shown everywhere but the United States! Only great American corporation and bureaucracy can achieve this. BUT, what a failure! From-the-get-go, there is mayhem and the fantastical, shot in a color-palette that more-resembles graphic novel horror of the time it was made (even a little Bernie Wrightson is present), than "Suspiria" does. Fangoria has reported that Argento is in-fact creating the final-part of this trilogy, right now. It has also been reported that Jace Anderson and Adam Gierasch, the co-writers of the Argento-infused "Toolbox Murders" (2004) will be doing the screenplay, which is exciting! They had better hurry, Dario Argento is nearing-66. Now, if someone would please give Ken Russell a theatrical horror-project again (actually, they HAVE!for a horror-anthology).
The genesis of Inferno's plot is disputed by Argento's former-lover (and mother of Asia), Daria Niccolodi, as it is directly-tied to Suspiria and the Three Mothers. However, I believe that Dario Argento was already intimately-acquainted with Thomas DeQuincy's "Confessions of an Opium Eater", and though Niccolodi did contribute greatly to Suspiria, the overarching-story (and cosmology) is his creation. Asia also backs-him on this, a woman known as much for her beauty as her literacy and directness. There is a touch of the "Gnostic-mythos" in Inferno, too. The Three Mothers are described as weaving-our-reality, controlling what we see, and ruling-over-us as "poisonous-mothers". They are sub-deities of deeper, darker-powers...emanations, but of-what? Maybe it's obvious, but most of the horror in a Dario Argento film is feminine, and he certainly fears women (who doesn't?). His take on this fear is unique in horror.
The tale begins in New York City, away from the German-setting of Suspiria. Each Mother is situated-within a Mansion, one-each near-or-in a major metropolis, carefully-triangulated to weave-their-web-of-illusion over us. The main-characters stumble-upon these lairs, usually living in them! Inferno is a film of curiosity and discovery, and as we all know, discovery is a horror-reveal. The film is at-once a child's dream, and a horrible-reality of murder and madness. Argento ably combines his alchemical-horror with his giallo-roots for the murders, and it simply explodes. There are definitely lulls where the film lags, but I advise all viewers to CRANK the volume, as these scenes are subtle in the sound-design, and made for atmosphere.
Inferno is an allegory. If you ever wondered about the reality beneath-ours, Inferno will reward you. What is truly creepy about this film is, there are occult groups and individuals like this in our world, such as the suicidal "Solar Temple" in Switzerland, occult-networks, a ritual-murder by Daniel and Manuela Ruda in the UK (convicted, 2002), the rise of satanic-killings in Italy by youth, and-more. And this is NOT coming-from a Christian. The Anchor Bay DVD for this film was put-together by William Lustig and Blue Underground, and it is excellent all-around. When judging a film and a director, examine how much they were able to create within their respective-budgets. Taken-alongside contemporary Hollywood-fare, Argento always beats-them, like all great directors. He could make a masterpiece with the catering-budget of any of the "blockbusters". Even at-65, he has more of a future than most of Hollywood