Phenomena (1985) is one of the wildest, most dreamlike films in Dario Argento’s cult filmography — a strange and hypnotic blend of giallo horror, supernatural fantasy, and murder mystery, wrapped in Argento’s signature style of neon-drenched visuals and nerve-jangling soundscapes.

Set in the misty Swiss Alps, the story follows Jennifer Corvino (a young Jennifer Connelly in an early role), the daughter of a famous actor who arrives at an elite girls’ boarding school. But this is no ordinary school — a vicious serial killer is stalking the countryside, and Jennifer soon discovers she possesses an uncanny gift: the ability to communicate telepathically with insects.

Guided by her otherworldly connection to the natural world, Jennifer teams up with a kindly but eccentric entomologist (played by the great Donald Pleasence) and his clever chimpanzee sidekick (!) to uncover the murderer’s identity. Yes — Phenomena is that kind of film: part slasher, part supernatural fairy tale, part insect whisperer detective story.

What holds it all together is Argento’s masterful sense of atmosphere. The film drips with gothic dread, bizarre imagery, and a pounding, unconventional score that fuses Goblin’s prog-rock with tracks by Iron Maiden and Motörhead. Argento crafts every sequence like a fever dream, where logic dissolves and unsettling beauty reigns supreme — from maggot-filled pools to swarms of fireflies guiding Jennifer through the night.

Connelly’s performance, innocent yet steely, anchors the chaos in an eerie vulnerability that makes the nightmare feel oddly touching. Pleasence brings warmth and wry humor, adding to the film’s strange tonal balance between fairy tale wonder and slasher nastiness.

Nearly four decades on, Phenomena is still celebrated by horror devotees for its sheer audacity. Few films blend coming-of-age mystery, supernatural horror, and heavy metal needle drops with such delirious confidence.

WATCH FULL MOVIE: If you crave a horror film that’s as hauntingly beautiful as it is unapologetically bonkers, Phenomena is an essential Argento fever dream you need to experience in the dark — with the insects watching.