Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 1 rating
Three tales of supernatural horror include a woman plagued by threatening phone calls, a family targeted by vampiric monsters, and a deceased medium who wreaks havoc upon the living.
Mario Bava's anthology horror is most distinguished by its sumptuous, painterly cinematography — rich, saturated color gels and expressionistic lighting that remain iconic in Italian horror. The three segments vary in quality: 'The Drop of Water' is a masterclass in atmospheric dread, while 'The Wurdulak' benefits from Boris Karloff's commanding presence. The wraparound and anthology format were fairly common for the era, and the plots themselves are serviceable rather than groundbreaking. Acting is solid if uneven across segments. The visuals are the film's true standout achievement.