This is one of the best of the 1980's Italian gialli and one of the best of later films in this genre not directed by a "name" director like Dario Argento (OK, that might not be saying much, but still. . .). The film has intrigued me every since I first read about it in Adrian Luther-Smith's seminal English-language book on the genre, "Blood in Black Lace", where it is listed under the Italian title "La Casa di Buon Retorno". And it actually lived up to my expectations.
The plot involves a boy who accidentally causes the death of a girl (his sister?) in his childhood countryside villa after she frightens him with an Onibaba mask. Fifteen years later he returns with his new girlfriend (Amanda Sandrelli) to the abandoned villa where some of his childhood friends have remained and become creepy locals. He starts to see the dead girl, suggesting either that he is going mad or that someone is trying to drive him mad. It isn't long before a mysterious figure in an Onibaba mask starts killing people.
This is a great old-fashioned giallo with above-par music and creepy visuals like the Japanese Onibaba mask, the old photographs of the dead girl, and the creepy mannequins dressed in masques and old clothes that fill the abandoned country mansion. As per the rest of the genre, the acting performances are all suitably unhinged (particularly the actor that plays the protagonist), but this doesn't have the frenetic, delirious pacing of some of the gialli. It is much more slow-burning and atmospheric (which is befitting its sleepy country setting). The identity of the killer in the Onibaba mask is pretty predictable, but the end is surprisingly nihilistic, even for a giallo, and I don't quite to make of the very final reveal. Still, the only thing it's lacking compared to the earlier 70's giallo classics is female nudity. Amanda Sandrelli stays clothed, which is strange considering she is the daughter of Stefania ("Is it time for my full-frontal nude scene, Mr. Italian director?") Sandrelli. But that and the generally lousy available prints are the only minor quibbles I have with this very entertaining 80's giallo.
The plot involves a boy who accidentally causes the death of a girl (his sister?) in his childhood countryside villa after she frightens him with an Onibaba mask. Fifteen years later he returns with his new girlfriend (Amanda Sandrelli) to the abandoned villa where some of his childhood friends have remained and become creepy locals. He starts to see the dead girl, suggesting either that he is going mad or that someone is trying to drive him mad. It isn't long before a mysterious figure in an Onibaba mask starts killing people.
This is a great old-fashioned giallo with above-par music and creepy visuals like the Japanese Onibaba mask, the old photographs of the dead girl, and the creepy mannequins dressed in masques and old clothes that fill the abandoned country mansion. As per the rest of the genre, the acting performances are all suitably unhinged (particularly the actor that plays the protagonist), but this doesn't have the frenetic, delirious pacing of some of the gialli. It is much more slow-burning and atmospheric (which is befitting its sleepy country setting). The identity of the killer in the Onibaba mask is pretty predictable, but the end is surprisingly nihilistic, even for a giallo, and I don't quite to make of the very final reveal. Still, the only thing it's lacking compared to the earlier 70's giallo classics is female nudity. Amanda Sandrelli stays clothed, which is strange considering she is the daughter of Stefania ("Is it time for my full-frontal nude scene, Mr. Italian director?") Sandrelli. But that and the generally lousy available prints are the only minor quibbles I have with this very entertaining 80's giallo.