Tenebre is the most thoroughly competent Dario Argento film I’ve ever seen. That is to say, it’s one of the dullest. Argento usually finds success in absurdity, so he never really grasps it in this straightforward murder mystery. The killings are full of gore but generic slashings and stabbings, and the mystery isn’t very enthralling as it mostly resolves itself over time without much character involvement. The lack of style is disappointing post-Suspiria, but there’s great camerawork. At least Tenebre‘s not as empty as Inferno.