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Review

Beautiful Aurora (Daniela Virgilio) and her boyfriend, Rino, (Daniele Grassetti) are in the throes of infatuated love. But Aurora begins to lose interest, so Rino suggests a drive through the woods to talk about their relationship. Pulling over to the side of the road, the duo is interrupted by a trio of bullies who are drugged out and ready for sex. Rino is assaulted, but an older couple (Rino Diana and Santa De Santis) arrives just in time to rescue the lovebirds. Invited by them to their simple, charming home in the woods, the younger couple think that they’ll be able to recuperate from their horrifying encounter, but they soon discover that their hosts’ mild suburbanite demeanor is just an act. Gabriele Albanesi’s first feature film takes it cues from popular Italian horror favorites from directors like Argento, Deodato and Fulci with a dash of Texas Chainsaw Massacre for good measure. But Albanesi adds his own twisted, gritty flavor to this Italian shocker by ratcheting up the suspense and ooze (you’ll never look at a goiter the same way again), while offering enough mystery and plot surprises to make it one of the most original horror films of the year. (Italian with English subtitles)

 -- Lewis Tice