The Red Queen Kills Seven Times

The Red Queen Kills Seven Times is a quintessential tale of family, mystery, murder, and horror. Released in 1972, it’s an exquisite example of Italian "giallo" cinema, a genre known for its blending of horror and mystery with thrilling suspense and extravagant visuals. Directed by Emilio Miraglia, this film is a captivating labyrinth of plot twists that holds your attention from start to finish.

The enthralling story revolves around two sisters residing in an old, fascinating, but sinister family mansion; the strikingly beautiful Kitty (Barbara Bouchet) and the anxious, less fortunate Evelyn (Marina Malfatti). These sisters are bound not just by familial ties, but also by a foreboding family curse, dating back to the medieval era. This curse seems to be intimately tied to a chilling family painting, portraying 'The Red Queen' and 'The Black Queen,' and the ghostly tales surrounding it.

The story opens with a backstory – an unsettling childhood scene of Kitty and Evelyn, where the elder Kitty encourages Evelyn's resentment towards their grandfather. This results in an action that foreshadows the thrilling events of their adult life, linking directly to the sinister painting that hangs, as an eerie backdrop, in their home. This macabre painting coupled with the tales of the curse sets up a chilling atmosphere that lingers throughout the film.

As the siblings grow older and the grandfather passes away, the curse seems to come alive, spurred by the Red Queen, who is said to rise every hundred years to claim seven victims. As multiple characters fall prey to an unseen murderer, Kitty, who works for a fashion photography company, and her boyfriend Martin (Ugo Pagliai), a manager at the same company, find themselves drawn into this spiraling web of terror and mystery. Coincidences sharpen into suspicion, and the curse eerily seems to insert itself into their lives, ultimately blurring the lines between superstition and reality.

Both Bouchet and Pagliai put forth compelling performances that effectively capture the emotional plight of their characters. Bouchet conveys Kitty’s sense of fear, confusion, and increasing paranoia with a mesmerizing intensity. Pagliai’s Martin brings a sense of grounded reality to the tale, skeptic but supportive, and helps anchor the narrative even when it veers into the realm of the supernatural.

Italian cinematography is often celebrated for its grandeur and utilization of visually stunning locations, and The Red Queen Kills Seven Times is no exception. The gloomy castle, the eerie corridors, the atmospheric locations they picked serve as a feast for the eyes. There's an elegant feel to even the macabre scenes, enhancing the overall visual aesthetics. The movie is strikingly shot, with Bruno Nicolai's ominous score creating an atmosphere of relentless tension, and helping to elevate the suspense.

The rich, multi-threaded plot is drizzled with a constant sense of dread and mystery. The narrative is intricate, with numerous characters having their roles to play in this macabre dance. The film's primary sense of fright emerges not just from the grisly murders but also the anticipation and eerie sense of doom that builds up with each scene.

The film is also an exceptional inclusion to the ‘giallo’ sub-genre, that was significantly popular in Italy in the 60s and 70s. Films of this style often feature mystery elements, slasher sequences, and visually rich aesthetic elements. Miraglia, blending these elements, delivers a film that is likely to delight fans of this genre.

The Red Queen Kills Seven Times, although released several decades ago, still stands as a compelling classic that's firmly gripped in gothic horror traditions. It effectively draws fear and suspense from both the psychological and the supernatural. Even though it has an underlying haunting lore, the film is ultimately a suspenseful thriller full of murder and mystery, bolstered by strong performances and memorable visuals. An excellent choice for horror and mystery lovers alike who enjoy navigating labyrinthine plots and unraveling mysteries from the past.