Usura

A young woman named Kitty is drawn into a mysterious cult that worships a parasitic creature. As she delves deeper, she uncovers a dark conspiracy involving her own family and the horrifying rituals that sustain the cult. Kitty must confront the truth and her own inner demons to escape the clutches of the parasitic entity and its devoted followers.

Dario Argento's 'Usura' (also known as 'The Phantom of Opera') received a mixed to negative reception from critics. While some acknowledged Argento's signature visual style and attempts at a gothic horror atmosphere, many found the plot convoluted and the gore excessive without sufficient narrative coherence. Audience reactions were similarly divided, with fans of Argento's earlier works often expressing disappointment.

• The film suffers from a nonsensical plot and excessive gore that detracts from any potential atmosphere.

• Dario Argento's visual flair is present, but it's not enough to salvage a weak story.

• A disappointing entry in Argento's filmography, lacking the tension and creativity of his earlier work.

Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce and generally lean towards disappointment, with many viewers finding the film to be confusing and overly reliant on gratuitous violence.

The film is an unofficial and highly controversial adaptation of Gaston Leroux's 'The Phantom of the Opera', transposed into a giallo-esque horror setting, which led to legal issues and distribution problems.