Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- lurid
- paranoid
- seedy
- late night horror viewing
- giallo marathon
What critics said
Critics generally viewed the film as a disjointed and exploitative giallo, while later genre audiences have valued its influential proto-slasher villa finale.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The villa section develops an extended killer-versus-final-girl scenario associated with later slasher cinema.
The red and black scarf is the central clue linking the murders and narrowing suspicion.
Contemporary criticism specifically highlights freely flowing blood and easily detached limbs, while the film’s murder set pieces foreground bodily harm.
Jane and her friends retreat to Daniela’s uncle’s country villa, where the killer follows and the final pursuit unfolds.
Films like Torso, and why
Black Christmas
proto-slasher structure, serial killer mystery, isolated setting, and extended final-girl suspense
The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh
Italian giallo mystery, stylish murder set pieces, sexualized violence, and masked-killer intrigue
Deep Red
giallo atmosphere, psychosexual menace, mystery plotting, and lurid violence
House of Wax
proto-slasher tension, secluded-house pursuit, and escalating killer-versus-survivor suspense
Movie Details
- Director
- Sergio Martino
- Release Date
- 1973-01-04
- Runtime
- 93 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (229)
Cast
- Suzy Kendall
- Tina Aumont
- Luc Merenda
- John Richardson
- Roberto Bisacco
- Ernesto Colli
- Angela Covello
- Carla Brait
- Conchita Airoldi
- Patrizia Adiutori
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Fandor, Night Flight Plus, ARROW
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Torso about?
- A lurid Italian giallo turns a countryside villa retreat into a claustrophobic hunting ground for a scarf-marked serial killer.
- What is Torso like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Torso as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Torso violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Torso as graphic.
- What did critics think of Torso?
- Critics generally viewed the film as a disjointed and exploitative giallo, while later genre audiences have valued its influential proto-slasher villa finale.
- Which films are like Torso?
- Films with a similar feel include Black Christmas, The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh, Deep Red, and House of Wax.
- How long is Torso?
- Torso runs 93 minutes.
- Where can I watch Torso?
- In United States, Torso streams on Fandor, Night Flight Plus, ARROW.
