Is Danse Macabre Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2017)

The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

Danse Macabre, a standout production of 2017, meticulously weaves its narrative threads through the Horror, Mystery landscape, offering a cinematic experience that is as challenging as it is rewarding. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into Margherita, a regular girl just about to turn thirty, has got a life and a normal job, a boyfriend whom she loves and a she did not get any strange ideas. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Horror, Mystery are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "Margherita, a regular girl just about to turn thirty, has got a life and a normal job, a boyfriend whom she loves and a she did not get any strange ideas. Her existence is disrupted by the death of her beloved grandmother who had raised her. The old woman was hiding a secret that had torn her soul for years: discovering what happened to her mother, a young actress in twenties, disappeared during the shooting of a film directed by a madman named Agenore Venturi. After the grandmother's funeral, Margherita begins to have terrifying visions and fears to going crazy. Even her boyfriend begins to doubt her sanity. The visions are increasingly disturbing and Margherita decides to seek help from a priest, her confidant. The man reveals to her something terrible about Venturi's past. After overcoming many misfortunes, Margherita succeeded in finding copy of the film that was supposed to be lost. The vision of those images reveals a truth that had to remain buried in the oblivion of time."

Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. Despite the inherent talent of Guia Zapponi, the performance in Danse Macabre feels somewhat constrained by a narrative framework that doesn't fully exploit their range. There are flashes of brilliance, but the overall impact is muted.

The direction by Ildo Brizi is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 102 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is Danse Macabre truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Horror, Mystery, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.

The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 4.1/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, Danse Macabre explores the dichotomy of fear and discovery. The 2017 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Ildo Brizi respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, Danse Macabre is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Guia Zapponi or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, Danse Macabre is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.