‘A Lizard in a Woman’s Skin’: This Classic Lucio Fulci Horror Film Delivers Nightmare 

‘A Lizard in a Woman’s Skin’ by Lucio Fulci is a fascinating fusion of psychological horror, surrealism, and erotics that resembles a fever dream gone bad. This 1971 film, which explored the disturbing link between s*x and violence while stretching the borders of reality and fiction, was already showcasing Fulci’s distinctive style before he became the “Godfather of Gore” with ‘The Beyond’ and ‘Zombie’. The film’s breathtaking images conflate dreams and reality, reflecting the protagonist’s confused mood and drawing viewers into a sultry yet terrifying world.

The narrative centres on Carol (Florinda Bolkan), a woman who has increasingly gory dreams about her free-spirited neighbour Julia (Anita Strindberg). Carol stabs Julia in one of her dreams as a result of these visions, which spiral into a surreal tapestry of passion, drug-fueled orgies, and unsettling images. 

Image Courtesy: IMDb

Carol becomes the main suspect after Julia is really found slain, setting up a psychological thriller with many surprising turns. Even while audiences today might recognize the mystery, it was revolutionary at the time and is still a breathtaking sight. Giallo films are renowned for their lavish style rather than their tight narratives, and ‘A Lizard in a Woman’s Skin’ is a masterful example of this.

Even the most strange scenes seem uncannily real thanks to Fulci’s surreal style. Fulci was accused of animal cruelty and had to demonstrate in court that the effects were false in one particularly notorious scene that featured hyper-realistic dog experimentation. The picture offers a frightening meditation on the fine line between pleasure and dread, and its eerie beauty solidifies its place in the Giallo pantheon. ‘A Lizard in a Woman’s Skin’ is a perfect pick for a muder mystery.

–Farheen Ali