Its greatest strengths are its lighting and staging. The murder in the art gallery that opens the film is worth the price of the DVD by itself. Likewise, a chase in a bus lot is thrillingly executed.

Its weaknesses, of course, are in plot and characterization. After the rushed denouement I still wasn't sure what exactly was supposed to have happened. Red herrings are thrown in which detract rather than distract, as they end up making some of the activity arbitrary, almost nonsensical. Tony Musante is a reasonably charismatic and compelling lead, but isn't given much to work with in terms of developing a multi-dimensional character.

The weaknesses I've listed above sound on paper as though they might be fatal, however any viewer willing to suspend expectations of logic (a process likely familiar to most fans of the giallo genre) will find a deftly executed thriller that keeps them glued to the screen.

For any fan of the genre or of Argento this is an absolute must-buy. Likewise, for those interested in learning more about giallo, this is the place to start. However, it's worth noting that Argento revisits many of the themes and set-pieces from this film in the vastly superior "Tenebre".