top 10 giallo films

'The Neon Demon' (2016) dir. by Nicolas Winding Refn - When aspiring model Jesse moves to California, her youth and vitality are devoured by a group of beauty-obsessed women who will take any means necessary to get what she has. A modern LA-set spin on the giallo genre, yielding some pretty marvellous results.

'Deep Red' (1975, ‘Profondo rosso’) dir. by Dario Argento - A musician witnesses the murder of a famous psychic, and teams up with a reporter to find the killer while evading attempts on their lives by the unseen assailant bent on keeping a dark secret. A compelling and twisted tale that draws on psychoanalysis to fuel its violent imagery.

'A Lizard in a Woman’s Skin' (1971, ‘Una lucertola con la pelle di donna’) dir. by Lucio Fulci - A young woman is accused of murdering her debauched neighbour after dreaming it. Was she set up, or did she really do it? Set in 1960s London, this is a sexy and thrilling film that also happens to have some of the best cinematography on this list.

'Opera' (1987) dir. by Dario Argento - A young opperata is stalked by a deranged fan bent on killing the people associated with her to claim her for himself. An absolute classic by Argento.

'The Fifth Cord' (1971, ‘Giornata nera per l'ariete’) dir. by Luigi Bazzoni - This outstanding giallo stars Franco Nero as a hard-drinking newspaperman who gets involved in a string of brutal murders. Although lesser-known in the genre, it features an excellent performance by Nero as well as a surprisingly believable plot.

'What Have You Done to Solange?' (1972, ‘Cosa avete fatto a Solange?’) dir. by Massimo Dallamano - After several coeds are murdered at a college, a professor who is involved with a student becomes a suspect, along with several other male and female teachers. Very graphic.

'Amer' (2009) dir. by Hélène Cattet, Bruno Forzani - Searing memories and carnal desires rule the mind of Ana, a young woman in thrall to her own fantasies whose visions and obsessions draw her toward deeper eroticism – and danger, in this modern take on a giallo.

'The Case of the Scorpion’s Tail' (1971, ‘La coda dello scorpione’) dir. by Sergio Martino -  The mysterious death of a millionaire spirals into the murder of his suddenly rich wife, which draws the attention of a dogged investigator, who follows a trail of blood to the bitter end. Incredibly fun and caper-like, the film features a brilliant score by Bruno Nicolai.

'Tenebre' (1982) dir. by Dario Argento - An American writer in Rome is stalked by a serial killer bent on harassing him while killing all people associated with his work on his latest book. This avant-garde giallo is completely bonkers, meta and self-aware.

'The Bird with the Crystal Plumage' (1970, ‘L'uccello dalle piume di cristallo’) dir. by Dario Argento - In Italy, the American writer Sam Dalmas witnesses an attempt of murder of the owner of an art gallery, a couple of days before his foreseen return to the US. He decides to stay with his girlfriend Julia and help the police in the investigation. An excellent example of the genre that some credit as the original giallo.