Review of "Beyond the Darkness" aka ("Buio Omega") (DVD)

Even death can't keep lovers apart in this gory D'Amato flick. It starts off with voodoo, moves on to corpse love, and culminates in cannibalistic murder. What more could you ask for in low-budget B-horror?

"Beyond the Darkness" offers giallo-esque stylings and an extra helping of gore. The movie centers around Francesco (Canter), a rich, immature orphan heir who lives on an estate with an older woman named Iris (Stoppi). From the beginning, it's clear their relationship is strange and sick. The movie starts off with jealous Iris and a witch doctor using voodoo to murder Francesco's love interest, Anna. Does this kill Anna and Francesco's relationship? Of course not - it just so happens that Francesco is an amateur taxidermist. At the funeral, he puts his twisted plan into action, unaware that he's been spotted sticking a hypodermic needle into his girlfriend's corpse. The bodies pile up as the Francesco gets sicker and the funeral director gets closer to discovering the truth.

Joe D'Amato was never a very discriminating directors. His willingness to put anything out - from mainstream porn to slash horror - is what endeared him to horror fans. It also can get irritating trying to separate the crap from his good stuff. "Beyond the Darkness" belongs in the latter pile. The movie is well shot with gorgeous scenery. The cast is good, especially Franca Stoppi as the twisted and depraved, yet needy nanny. The pacing is also good enough to keep your attention all the way to the (sillyish) twist ending.

The sex scenes are mild R-rated and more disturbing than erotic - so those looking for D'Amato-style explicit action should look elsewhere. Also, there aren't many real scares to be found. To make up for this, the movie features well-done gore. In one headache-inducing scene, Francesco blows his ex-girlfriend's brains out through a nose tube.

Depending on which of the hundred genres he worked in that you prefer, "Beyond the Darkness" may indeed be (as some claim) one of D'Amato's best. It's fun and gory, even if the ending might be a little silly. A must-see for gorehounds, Goblin soundtrack fans, and D'Amato-heads.

"Beyond the Darkness" is available on DVD in both a US Release version and a Netherlands import. If your favorite DVD store doesn't carry it, try Poker Industries Asian DVD Store.