Phenomenais getting a television adaptation. The 1985 Dario Argento movie, which was originally released under the titleCreepersin the United States, starred Jennifer Connelly a year before her breakout role in Jim Henson’sLabyrinthas a young American at a Swiss boarding school who has a psychic connection with insects. When a deadly entity begins terrorizing the community, she teams up with local entomologist Professor John McGregor (Halloweenfranchisestalwart Donald Pleasence) to get to the bottom of it. In addition to directing and producing the movie, Argento co-wrote the screenplay with Franco Ferrini.
PerVariety,Phenomenais now set to be adapted into a television series by Italian company Titanus Production.Phenomena – The Seriesis going to be brought to Series Maniato seek partners during the Co-Pro Pitching Sessions. The teen horror drama, which was originally imagined as a feature-length direct sequel, is being helmed by Nicola Guaglianone and Menotti. Read the synopsis of the project below:
Jennifer Corvino, an American student at a fencing academy in the glamorous Dolomites, harbors a secret psychic link with insects. As Jennifer navigates the challenges of being the new girl at school, she must also confront a series of brutal murders. With her unique abilities, Jennifer must learn to harness her power to stop the killer, save her comrades, and survive.
What This Phenomena Announcement Means
It Could Kick Off A Dario Argento Renaissance
Should thePhenomenaproject get off the ground, it will bethe second-ever official remake of a Dario Argento movieand the first sinceCall Me By Your Namedirector Luca Guadagnino helmed the 2018 reimagining of his 1977 supernatural classicSuspiria. This may be the case because that title was a financial failure, only grossing $7.9 million against its $20 million budget. It also received a mixed reaction from critics, earning a just-barely Fresh score of 66% on Rotten Tomatoes. Even Sandy Schaefer’s positive, 7 out of 10,SuspiriareviewforScreenRantacknowledged its flaws. Read an excerpt below:
Suspiria ultimately suffers from trying to do too much, even over the course of its pretty substantial runtime (which is divided into six acts and an epilogue).
However, if it comes to fruition and is able to connect with audiences,it could kick off a new wave of Argento reimaginings. The Italian horror master has directed many iconicgiallomoviesand supernatural titles that are well known in the horror sphere. While his lurid and stylized approach to filmmaking may prove to be inimitable, titles such as 1970’sThe Bird with the Crystal Plumage, 1975’sDeep Red, and 1982’sTenebraehold enough cultural cachet that remakes may potentially be pursued.
Our Take On The Phenomena Series
It Could Be A Perfect Choice
Even if thePhenomenashow does not prove to be a hit,it is a title that is perfect for a remake. TheDario Argento moviewas substantially - and divisively - recut for its U.S. release, but even its original cut resulted in mixed reviews at the time. Because it is not hailed as a masterpiece at the level ofSuspiria, this could prevent the remake from paling in comparison. Additionally, its subject matter lends itself perfectly to the genre of small-screen teen drama, as it has similar themes to shows like theVampire DiariesspinoffLegacies.
