Staff pick

The giallo starter pack

6 films · August 2026

Six films, in this order. By the end you will know whether you can live without the plot making sense.

Blood and Black Lace
1964 · France/West Germany · 86m
Obscurity: known
The template, and still the best-looking film on this list.
The Bird with the Crystal Plumage
1970 · Italy · 101m
Obscurity: known
Argento's debut, and the film that made the giallo an export.
Deep Red
1975 · Italy · 126m
Obscurity: known
Argento's best. Goblin's score does half the work and knows it.
Torso
1973 · Italy · 89m
Obscurity: known
Sleazy for an hour, then a brilliant silent final act.
Don't Torture a Duckling
1972 · Italy · 102m
Obscurity: known
Fulci's best film and his angriest. A giallo about mob justice in a village.
Tenebrae
1982 · Italy · 110m
Obscurity: known
Argento's coldest and cleverest. That crane shot earns its reputation.

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