This may be the first actual Dario Argento movie I’ve seen (not counting his truly abysmal Dracula 3D from a few years ago). This is a classic horror film with at least one iconic “kill” sequence that I’d heard about well before seeing it (the one with the stained glass skylight).

Unfortunately, the film may not have aged well, at least in my estimation of something more than 40+ years after release. I found it a little sluggish when not playing the shocking sequences of supernatural violence. It builds suspense in those scenes pretty well through some bizarre, discordant music. The film largely works during these moments. These scenes show a definite style and intent.

But the rest of the movie kind of felt like it was spinning its wheels to reach a 90+ minute run time. And I’m afraid what was actually going on in the school comes across today as a bit ho-hum. But grading an older movie on a curve, adjusting for the decades, is something worth doing. It’s still an interesting watch.

Score: 72