By Geno McGahee
Lucio Fulci has made a lot of interesting movies including THE HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY (1981), THE BEYOND (1981) and CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD (1980). The Italian filmmaker was known for a more visual approach, showing more than telling his story with some style and that is the case with the 1987 film “AENIGMA.”
Kathy (Mijlijana Zirojevic) is an outcast at a New England boarding school, but things seem to be turning around when a popular guy takes an interest in her. Some new friends make her up and she goes off to meet for the date, but things aren’t as they appear. It was all a cruel joke and Kathy becomes the target of ridicule. She runs away from the mob and into the path of a vehicle and is nearly killed. While in a coma, her spirit controls Eva (Lara Lamberti) to kill for her.
The school is full of attractive women and that doesn’t go unnoticed by the gym teacher, Fred (Riccardo Acerbi). He takes full advantage of his position, slapping the girls in the ass and telling them that they are fat, when they are far from it. Before Fred can get any from Eva, his reflection forces its way out of the mirror and chokes him to death. It was an awesome visual and that is the story with this film. I keep saying “that was cool” and it makes up for the mediocre dialogue.
The film shifts to kills with one of the best being a statue coming to life and strangling a victim. We have another girl murdered by snails. Kathy seems to be decomposing in her hospital bed as she demands vengeance. I would think that they would take better care of her, but they may be afraid. She makes scary faces throughout and if I was working there, I would avoid her too.
AENIGMA is an artsy take on the style of films at the time. Much like TERROR TRAIN, SLAUGHTER HIGH and CARRIE, we have a revenge horror film with an outcast getting pushed a little too far. The difference is that Fulci depended on visuals to carry the film and it fell short. There is more style than substance, but it still is worth a watch. I recommend it.
Rating: 6/10
