A film that has been known by many names, StageFright is now available on blu-ray complete with a newly restored 4K version. Originally intended to be titled “Aquarius” so as to allude to the viewer’s almost fishbowl vantage point of the action, Michele Soavi’s 1987 slasher is more commonly known as StageFright, but has also been known by both Delria and Bloody Bird. The Italian film is set over the course of one night and charts the demise of a troupe of actors as their latest rehearsal is crashed by an escaped serial killer.
StageFright is considered, in some circles, to be the pinnacle of the early generation of slasher films. This is likely down to the presentation of the feature and not necessarily the plot. Many slashers films, especially during the eighties, all followed the same pattern, eventually becoming interchangeable with one another. Soavi’s film stands apart thanks to its visual elegance. There is a richness to the piece that was lacking in many of its peers and its sumptuous nature elevates it above its plot silliness. Within slasher films the killer often has a mask, and whilst StageFright as a whole may be a film that has flown under the radar, its killer’s facial covering has been a regular feature on horror related quizzes for years. The Owl mask is an interesting choice for its killer to don, although it is an opportunist grab rather than a pre-prepared guise.
The use of having the rehearsal of the play running parallel to the killer infiltrating their group helps generate confusion early on, offering a disturbing playground in which the killer can run amok. Soavi works a great sense of dread into this early section. It pays off beautifully during the scene in which our killer unveils himself on stage. This “in scene” murder of his first on-stage victim is harrowing for the viewer due to their omniscient point of view. The audience knows it is the killer and not one of the troupe; it is a plot device that has been utilised many times, most notably in the opening of Scream 2. From this moment on the illusion and divide between stage show and reality separates, the cast now fully aware of the threat posed to them and much of the tension drains away. What follows are long sequences of characters running away and hiding from the danger, whilst inexplicably placing themselves directly into harm’s way. Events get progressively sillier and the earlier moments of grandeur quickly become a distant memory.
A slasher film is always rated in terms of its kill sequences, outside of the on stage death, the kills within StageFright are not hugely memorable. Potentially a side effect of the spontaneous arrival of the killer, the deaths unfold in rapid succession and just seem content to cover off several staple kills, opting to not push for any real invention. Most masked murders in slasher films have to be opituminst with their depatching of prey, but in StageFright everything feels too cartoonish and almost Scooby Doo in nature.
In addition to the 4K restoration, which sizzles with its vibrancy, the costume colorings popping especially vividly, the disc includes a handful of extras. These include a handful of interviews with cast and crew, offering a deeper insight into the production. Whilst not as many or as detailed as the work coming from both Second Sight Films and Arrow Video, this remains a lovingly compiled disc that horror aficionados will take pleasure in devouring.
A welcome opportunity to catch up with a slasher that most modern audiences may have overlooked. StageFright is a colourful and camp entry into the genre lore that though occasionally too cartoonish, offers some excellent tension building at early doors.
StageFright is available to own on blu-ray now via Shameless Films.
StageFright
Summary
Proof that it’s not just David Bowie’s Goblin King that made owl’s menacing, StageFright is a stylish slasher that has fallen through the cracks in recent years. Correct this mistake and educate yourself with this carefully restored version of the film.
