Horror Infernal

Ein traditionell traumhafter, visuell eleganter Horrorfilm von Dario Argento. Diesmal hat er aber keine Geschichte. Manchmal vergisst man sogar, worum es geht. (11.04.2002)

Das Inferno hat wirklich eine fesselnde visuelle Darstellung und einige Szenen brennen sich mit ihrer "Schönheit" wirklich in das Gedächtnis ein. Das Problem liegt jedoch in der Handlungslosigkeit. Das einfache Thema rahmt praktisch nur eine Abfolge von Folgen ein, in denen die Charaktere in relativ langen und qualvollen Szenen auf einen Schlag hingewiesen werden, und die Handlung geht ins nirgendwo. Das Inferno hinkt seinem Vorgänger sowohl schauspielerisch als auch musikalisch hinterher. Trotzdem ist es definitiv sehenswert. (04.06.2018)

Although I wholeheartedly endorse Lucio Fulci’s dictum whereby Argento is as adept as a composer of captivating scenes as he is inept as a scriptwriter, I didn’t mind the lack of story arc in this case, because Argento finally resigns himself to trying to shock us (read: annoy us) with a plot twist, presumably concocted for him by the chimpanzee from Phenomena. This one’s strictly about atmosphere and a beautiful color palette. Then again, just between you and me, the last twenty minutes or so, following the rat attack, again suffer from the highly spurious, implausible catastrophe of a script. That’s not something I’d expect to ever happen in a film by the aforementioned Fulci, not to mention Bava, Lenzi or other master directors. Argento is not my cup of tea. (30.08.2020)

My overall impression is a bit hesitant because Inferno is a considerably uneven film. On one hand, its impressiveness, style, and atmosphere cannot be denied, but on the other, it gives the impression of being confused in many aspects, so confused that I doubted the director's intention - it seems more like the magic of randomness worked. The film resembles a confused dream, a nightmare that troubles us shortly before awakening. A good choice for horror fans, but supporters of a clear plotline and explanatory endings should stay far away from Inferno. Overall impression: 60%. (09.10.2009)

Visually, this is probably Argento’s most intoxicating and beautiful film. A surreal atmosphere, beautiful colours and so little of a story that it could fit on a pinhead. I didn’t like Inferno at first, like Suspiria, but a second viewing helped me appreciate it. A piece of advice: if you’re beginning with old horror stuff from Italy, leave Argento’s witch flicks for last. Inferno is really beautiful, but there could really have been at least a little bit more of a plot, hence the four stars. (30.06.2008)