Weirdo 1987 flick feels like a hodgepodge of Carrie, Patrick, and Suspiria tossed in a Fulci grinder but it’s not like any of those movies... kinda like how the mad max ripoff Exterminators from the Year 3000 is nothing like mad max.
The Italian way of approaching this style of filmmaking is one of my favorite things and Aenigma doesn’t disappoint, with plenty of ominous atmos, gore, and weirdo imagery to fit the bill—hitting plenty of Fulci signature moments and peppering dorm rooms with Stallone and Top Gun posters as well as models, camerawork that Gaspsr Noe definitely watched, workout sessions, and snail violation.
Much like every Argento conversation ever that culminates in the claims that OpErA wAs ThE LaSt gReAt aRgEnTo mOvIe, Fulci gets that same rap—but I think that’s a half baked statement... its all irrelevant to me since I love numerous offerings from both directors later periods... I think there’s a lot of really good stuff there—Aenigma included.
Cool movie, GREAT poster—thanks Severin!