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Chris Rydell, Asia Argento, Piper Laurie, Frederic Forrest, Laura Johnson ... see more see more... , James Russo , Brad Dourif , Lynda Baron , Sharon Barr , Deborah Barrymore , Godfrey James , Peter Moore , Sean Pertwee , Paul Shelley , Rita Vassallo , Ira Belgrade , John Harding , David Morris , Isabell Monk

In this suspenseful horror movie, a lovely runaway and a helpful hero go looking for the fearsome "Headhunter," the ghoulish hooded killer who sawed off the heads of her parents. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rov... read more read more...i

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45% liked it

3,805 ratings

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67% liked it

6 critics

R, 1 hr. 26 min.

Directed by: Dario Argento

Release Date: March 12, 1993

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DVD Release Date: May 27, 2008

Stats: 179 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (179)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    August 22, 2010
    TheDudeLebowski65
    The obvious American influence of Dario Argento's Trauma is apparent right from the start. A killer dubbed the headhunter decapitates women with garotte wire. Not one of Dario Argento's accomplishments, however it is really good, but Trauma is not a legendary film like previous A... read morergento works such as Suspiria and Deep Red. The film is tense and horrifying, and is quite entertaining. However, the golden age of Dario Argento is over, but this film has all the signature Argento trademarks are there, but theres something missing to truly make it an Argento masterpiece. I guess thats what happens when the American get involved. Hollywood has to cheapen up something thats already very good. The film is still very good with plenty of Argento violence, but this film doesn't belong on the shelf beside his greatest achievements. Trauma for what it's worth is still a worthy horror film to watch as the film high point is Tim Savini's awesome special effects.
  • YosemiteSamFan
    July 10, 2007
    YosemiteSamFan
    An engaging Dario Argento film, made in America. Aura (Asia Argento) suffers trauma when she witnessed the gorey decapitation of her parents. She seeks help from her psychiatrist Dr. Judd (Frederic Forrest) and her new boyfriend David (Christopher Rydell). The "Headhunter" killer... read more is still cutting off peoples' heads, and Aura and David uncover the clues to find the killer. I really liked this quality movie and have watched it a few times.
  • ryguy4738
    July 24, 2011
    ryguy4738
    7.2/10

    It's been some time since I last watched a Dario Argento film; as if I've been in rehabilitation for doing such a thing. But as some horror fans say; a Dario Argento film a day keeps the crappy remakes and failed attempts at the genre away, so I think I'll start watc... read morehing more of this rather brilliant man's films soon enough. I've seen quite a few of them; mostly his old stuff. But today, I decided to watch one of his newer releases; "Trauma".

    So how does the film hold up against the director's best, like for example: "Suspiria" or "Deep Red"? It holds up nicely enough, and that's all I can really say. As far as Dario Argento films go, this one is pretty solid. In fact, it's not bad at all, which is surprising; given how the guy has gotten worse, progressively, ever since he continued to make films in the modern age. "Trauma" proves that he's still got some steam left to blow; and some madness to still let loose. This is good, because I rather enjoy Argento's macabre visions and his treatment to violence as a style. His films are never sickeningly gory, but rather stylish and even artistic. "Trauma" is no masterpiece, but I liked it.

    The story is often times absurd, but that actually tends to work to its advantage. It is self-aware of its absurdity, which is always nice. It's the tale of a kindly young man (Christopher Rydell) who discovers an anorexic young lady (Asia Argento) attempting suicide by jumping one day, off of a local bridge. He saves her and takes her in as a friend; and makes it his job to care for her.

    But that's not the story; that's not where the meat is at. Romance is merely a side-story, as from the opening sequence, we learn that there's a genuine "Head-Hunter" on the loose; decapitating seemingly everyone who he can corner. But we soon learn that, as with all films of this sort, there is something far more sinister in his murder pattern.

    The story is predictable, the romantic approach isn't anything new, and the whole thing either makes sense or it doesn't; and I think it does. It might be too simplistic of a movie for some people's taste, but to me, it's a fun time at the movies. Fans of Argento should be pleased to see his stylistic choices for the film; one of them being the first-person shots of the killer staring his victims in the face, like all good movie stalkers should. I love scenes like this; they are hypnotic, and the scenes present here are no exception. The gore scenes/kill scenes are also entertainingly impressive, although not quite as good as the ones in "Suspiria" and "Tenebre". Dario Argento doesn't do anything daring here, but what I seem to like most about the guy is the fact that I always want more of the same psychotic, mad brilliance from the man.

    So, what's the downside to the film? No awesome, screeching score from Goblin or Claudio Simonetti. That's pretty much the only true down-side. Nothing in the film feels half-assed. There's a lot of admirable attention to detail, the film is thoroughly entertaining/engaging, and I couldn't help but enjoy the campy feeling of it all. Some of the performances are intentionally over-the-top in their campiness, which is good, because a horror film is either gleefully ridiculous or absurd, or it just sucks. This is how it goes for most of them at least. Since it's not great, I'm not sure if it's a must-see for all movie-goers, but it's definitely one to see for the horror fanatics. "Trauma" is a solid chiller with scares, gore, and enough inventive ambition to keep me with a twisted smile on my face.
  • danieljparsons
    May 1, 2011
    danieljparsons
    Poorly structured and scripted "US Giallo", but Argento's visual flourishes and some ingenious set pieces keep things moving and interesting. Plenty of severed heads (including some *risible* talking decapitations) and double crossings abound. Trashy but enjoyable.
  • John2223
    May 16, 2010
    John2223
    "Trauma" is certainly not one of Argento's masterpieces. But even this ingenious filmmaker's lesser films are above average, and "Trauma" is definitely a more than decent 90s Giallo that Horror fans should not miss!
    Another Argento's good effort.
  • Lemure
    February 27, 2010
    Lemure
    Argento goes Hollywood, focuses less on cinematography, ropes in his daughter for the lead, and still creates a top-notch thriller.
    Although, visually, this film is so different to the likes of Suspiria and Opera, in tone it's very similiar, especially to Crystal Plumage: a murd... read moreerer is lopping peoples heads off (in a new and original and nasty way), a reporter and anorexic try to solve the mystery. There's a twisted scene where a young boy finds the murder weapon and begins to examine it that had me hiding behind my hands, and only Argento could come up with a killer's motive/backstory like the one here. This is yet another quality film from the master of horror. To say more is to ruin it.
  • silentbob66
    December 23, 2008
    silentbob66
    When a young troubled girl watched her parents be killed she turns to a former drug addicted newspaper man that she met while trying to jump off a bridge for help to find out who killed them they soon learn that her parents were just 2 of many others that have been killed by the ... read morekiller the news has been following. I would say this is one of argento's best movies it had enough suspense and gore to keep me interested but i do have to add that Asia character does get pretty annoying halfway threw or it would have gottan four stars.
  • kingmob6
    May 9, 2012
    kingmob6
    Man, what a middle of the road Argento film this is. Asia Argento stars as a runaway who gets fished into a murder mystery with a serial killer, and she's easy on the eyes, but otherwise the film just meanders along, hitting certain marks but never really gaining any momentum.

    ... read moreRental at best.
  • PillowPantss
    August 12, 2009
    PillowPantss
    this is cool movie. it's bout teenage asia (the directors daughter) meeting a guy after she runs away from home.aisa is alittle on the weird side...then there's a gloved killer...killin people, while reallly rad music plays.
  • saintboondock1
    October 3, 2008
    saintboondock1
    the argento film that had alota problems with studio, ratings, and every one it seems though it is a bit flawed i felt it was very well done and had some creepy moments in it i rank this one up there with suspria and others i love it and i feel its a fun one and you do keep guess... read moreing till the end... and asia dose a nice job also!

View All Trauma (Dario Argento's Trauma) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Walter Chaw
October 16, 2005
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central

Once lawless, Argento's pictures feel inconsequential now. Light and aimless. Full Review

Staci Layne Wilson
August 22, 2005
Staci Layne Wilson, About.com

Click here to read the review. Full Review

Ed Gonzalez
December 5, 2001
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine

See it for the killer decapitation set pieces. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
July 17, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Brian Juergens
July 7, 2005
Brian Juergens, Freeze Dried Movies

No review available.

Keith H. Brown
August 20, 2002
Keith H. Brown, Eye for Film

Click to read the article Full Review

Geoff Andrew
June 24, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

Click to read the article Full Review

December 15, 2003
Film4

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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