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Tenebrae is a horror movie directed by the Italian filmmaker Dario Argento, originally released in 1982. The plot revolves around the American mystery writer Peter Neal (played by Anthony Franciosa), who visits Rome to promote his latest book. As he arrives in the city, a string of gruesome murders occurs, all emulating the events in his novel. Neal soon finds himself in the center of a chilling murder mystery, trying to solve the puzzle before he becomes the next victim.

The movie begins with an intensely suspenseful scene where a woman is pursued and brutally murdered by a shadowy figure. The audience witnesses the gruesome act through the killer's point of view, and the camera movements and sound effects create a harrowing atmosphere. This scene sets the tone for the rest of the film, which is full of violent and unsettling scenes.

As Peter Neal begins his book tour, he becomes involved with the police investigation into the murders. He meets his publisher, Bullmer (John Saxon), and his assistant, Anne (Daria Nicolodi), who become important figures in the plot. The killings increase in frequency and intensity, and Peter starts receiving threatening letters from the killer, who seems to know everything about him.

The movie has a complex and labyrinthine plot, full of twists and turns that keep the audience guessing until the very end. The killings are all very different, and the movie's use of gore is expertly done, never gratuitous or over-the-top. The cinematography is stunning, with many shots of beautiful Roman streets and landmarks, which provide a stark contrast to the gruesome murders that take place there.

Over the course of the film, Peter Neal's relationships with Anne and Bullmer become more complicated, and he becomes increasingly paranoid and desperate as the killer closes in on him. The tension builds to an incredibly suspenseful climax, where the murderer's identity is finally revealed.

One of the movie's most compelling aspects is its use of symbolism and themes. The title, Tenebrae, means "shadows" in Latin, which is a fitting metaphor for the movie's exploration of the dark corners of the human psyche. The killer's motivations are rooted in jealousy and obsession, and the film delves into the themes of creative expression, voyeurism, and the power of fiction over reality.

The movie's score, composed by progressive rock band Goblin, is a masterful blend of electronic and acoustic sounds, with an eerie and hypnotic quality that perfectly matches the movie's tense atmosphere. The intricate lighting and visual effects create a dreamlike quality to the film, which is both beautiful and terrifying.

Overall, Tenebrae is a riveting and disturbing horror movie that subverts many of the genre's tropes. It is a film that rewards close attention and demands repeated viewings, as its many layers and hidden meanings reveal themselves over time. With its unsettling atmosphere, complex plot, and stunning visuals, Tenebrae is a must-see for fans of horror and psychological thrillers.

Tenebrae is a 1982 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 83.