FAVOURITE 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.

'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 opera performer is stalked by a deranged fan bent on killing the people associated with her to claim her for himself. An absolute classic by Argento.

'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.