My Review Of “P.O.E. Project Of Evil”

“P.O.E. Project Of Evil” is an Italian horror anthology inspired by the works of horror’s godfather Edgar Allan Poe. The second in a series of films, “Project Of Evil” takes on a more experimental, visceral approach to Poe’s stories. 'The Pit and the Pendulum', 'Solo', 'Loss of Breath', 'The Murders in the Rue Morgue', 'The Tell-Tale Heart', 'The System of Dr. Tar and Prof. Feather', and 'The Premature Burial' all become twisted, “very now” tales of creative terror.

The anthology brings together Directors Donatello Della Pepa, Angelo & Giuseppe Capasso, Edo Tagliavini, Alberto Viavattene, Nathan Nicholovitch, Domiziano Cristopharo and Giuliano Giacomelli. “Project Of Evil” stars Cristiano Morroni, Dario Biancone, Angelo Campus, Santa De Santis, Francesco Malcom, Paolo Ricci, Alessandro Rella, Federica Tommasi, Desiree Giorgetti, Mario Cellini, Roberto Nali, David D’Ingeo, Virgilio Olivari, Claudio Zanelli, and Lucio Zannella.

The 7 stories featured in “P.O.E. Project Of Evil” bring out some of the best, modern talent of the indie community in true, avant garde fashion. The tales range from surreal to exploitation with forays in the expressionist’s experimental playground. The direction of the overall collection is a metaphorical exploration of madness and fear guiding us through windows of the horror experienced by the institutionalized.

Each story plays out nearly perfect arthouse thrills, with acting that creates both emotions steeped in paranoia and visions as raw grindhouse horror. The best of these 7 short films (for me personally) has to be “The Pit And The Pendulum” , “The Murders in the Rue Morgue”, “The System of Dr. Tar and Prof. Feather”, and “Loss Of Breath” , not that “The Tell Tale Heart”, “The Premature Burial” or “Solo” are somehow deficient. Actually all the stories in “Project Of Evil” are right in my sweet spot of horror- the avant garde, experimental expressionist styles.

The special effects and soundtrack are both equality quality work which sell “P.O.E. Project Of Evil” completely. The visceral, gory practical effects are killer components that transform all 7 of these stories into truly hellish masterpieces. Very grindhouse, giallo style death scenes and nightmare sequences will please any horror fan. The sound effects and instrumental effects generate a dark, surreal atmosphere that is both captivating and chilling.

The haunting tracks of psychotica play against the gritty, art visual aspects in a way that only European cinema can ever seem to create so effortlessly. Now “P.O.E. Project Of Evil” will not please all horror fans, but those looking for something that is graphic, artistic and truly unique will definitely get off on this horror anthology.