1. The red Queen Kills Seven Times (1972): A gothic murder mystery featuring a medieval curse and familial tensions.
2. Death Walks on High Heels (1971): A suspenseful thriller involving a dancer pursued for stolen diamonds.
3. Spasmo (1974): Known for its psychological depth with minimal gore but intriguing plot disorientation.4. Four Flies on Gray Velvet (1971): Dario argento’s innovative film using slow-motion camera work mixed with unconventional narrative techniques.5. The Case of the Bloody Iris (1972): focused on models targeted by a killer, addressing sexuality themes amidst visually striking murders.
Giallo cinema offers an exceptional example of regional art forms influencing broader global genres such as horror-thriller filmmaking styles seen today in hollywood slashers. For India, which has also nurtured niche genres within its vast cinematic canon-such as Bollywood noir or South Indian psychodramas-the study of underappreciated giallos underscores the importance of preserving lesser-known artistic narratives.
India’s burgeoning independant film industry might consider these European films as an inspiration to experiment beyond mainstream formulas while still maintaining strong cultural aesthetics and unique storytelling traditions akin to those seen in giallos’ nuanced yet stylized treatment of complex human emotions.