With a rich history of Giallo cinema and legendary artist such as Dario Argento and Lucio Fulci, Italian horror has been amongst the most celebrated in the genre. The horror nations around the world have eagerly awaited the next ray of darkness to shine from the sunny boot shaped peninsula. Directors Roberto De Feo and Paolo Strippoli team up with a strong attempt to bring some classic horror troupes to life with their feature, “A Classic Horror Story.”
Elisa (Matilda Lutz) is young, smart, and very pregnant. She picks up a carpool to meet up with her mother to discuss an abortion, which her mother is insisting on. Once aboard an old rolling trailer, she is introduced to a happy wild couple, a reclusive middle-aged doctor, and her host Fabrizio. Fabrizio is a hopeful film maker who loves to record their entire outing. Night falls on their journey and the ride comes to an abrupt halt. Not only have they crashed into a tree in the middle of the night, but the travelers are now in the middle of nowhere and their vehicle is sitting right outside of a house that looks like it was transported from 1690’s Salem. As night descends so does the realization that not only is the group lost but as the aspiring artist Fabrizio points out, they are all about to star in a very real horror film.
Food comes third in Italy only behind Jesus and Calcio (soccer.) Take one part “Texas Chainsaw Massacre”, one part “Blair Witch Project”, one part “Midsommer”, one part “Wrong Turn”, a pinch of “The Hills Run Red” and you have the fright feast that is “A Classic Horror Story.” De Feo and Strippoli mix in classic and modern “lost in a bad situation” plots almost to a fault, but it works. The directing duo along with Cinematographer Emanuele Pasquet present a perfect and at times stunning looking film. In true Italian film fashion, bright red hues really pop throughout the production and give an old world look to a modern piece. Lutz along with the entire cast put in strong performances, with each character having an empathetic backstory instead of being just butcher bait. The film is paced well, going from a slow burn mysterious opening to a full speed horror mishmash that sprints to a rather satisfying conclusion.
. At times “A Classic Horror Story” appears to be caught in seven different minds. Horror fans will either be thrilled to see many of their favorite fright films paid homage to or they will be borderline stunned by the repetitive same scenarios. De Feo and Strippoli do throw in some original material and plot points that will play better to those who are familiar with the dark history of Southern Italy. From the plains of Texas to the daunting forest of the Appalachians, those who love groups in peril horror films will adore this outing and fresh setting. Those who are looking for a deep European horror production or old school slaughter fest will be mildly disappointed. Hopefully, high ratings will help the talented team behind “A Classic Horror Story” usher in a new renaissance of Italian horror cinema.
Scream Score: 8.2/10