Have you ever heard of the movie Phenomena from 1985? Also known by the title Creepers, this Italian horror movie directed by Dario Argento star Jennifer Connelly. This movie is among the best of Dario Argento’s horror films. Phenomena, aka Creepers, inspired the Japanese game Clock Tower from 1995. It is evident especially because there are character resemblances so uncanny that it is apparent images were lifted directly from the movie for use in the game.
Phenomena stars a young Jennifer Connelly who has psychic abilities. She goes to a new boarding school (or something) and meets a bug expert played by Donald Pleasence, or as I like to say, “that doctor guy from Halloween“. Jennifer discovers that she has the ability to communicate with insects. The synopsis of this horror movie becomes precedent knowing that there is a killer of young girls loose in the town the boarding house resides. Using the help of insects, Jennifer investigates to track down the killer.
With this incredible insect-whisperer power in hand, Jennifer embarks on a buzz-worthy adventure to solve the mystery of the serial killer. Along the way, she encounters creepy crawlies of various shapes and sizes, coordinating her investigative efforts with the help of her newfound six-legged friends. Meanwhile, our dear friend “that doctor guy from Halloween” lends his expertise in entomology and acts as a guiding light for Jennifer’s unusual gift. The movie’s blend of horror, mystery, and insect-fueled antics make for an eerily entertaining ride as you find yourself rooting for Jennifer and her insect army to finally unveil the identity of the brutal killer.
Despite being quite young in the movie Phenomena, Jennifer Connelly’s undeniable beauty and allure are already apparent, making her the perfect partner for, well, insects. Though it might seem odd to pair a dazzling star with a swarm of creepy crawlers, her commanding presence and charm somehow make even her interactions with the bugs captivating. It’s no wonder that with a face like that, Jennifer can make friends in both human and insect realms, let alone dominate the silver screen like a queen bee. In a twist of irony, Jennifer’s youthful allure adds an unexpectedly seductive flavor to an otherwise spine-chilling horror film, making Phenomena a tantalizing experience for audiences of all species.
If you are a fan of horror movies, you should know that Phenomena is worth watching. Most of the film is slow. However, the ending scenes are so outrageous and exciting that you quickly forgive how these scenes came suddenly out of left field. I wish I could say more without giving anything away. Some scenes are so brilliant and frightening that it is no wonder why Dario Argento has such a grand reputation for horror films. You can find special edition of this film
I love that movie. Of course, I’ve liked Jennifer Connelly in every movie in which I’ve seen her. Between that one, Once Upon a Time in America and Labyrinth, her career had quite the fine start.
Here’s something else. I saw Phenomena – under the title Creepers, so it was probably the edited version – the same summer in which I saw The Brain, Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Monster Squad and Night of the Creeps (this was BEFORE I saw Mary Poppins, if you can believe that). It was summer 2001, to be precise. Here I was watching these ’80s horror flicks, having no idea what was going to happen that September.