Rating: **
Review Date: 10/20/24
Music: Ennio Morricone
Cast: Giancarlo Giannini, Barbara Bouchet, Barbara Bach, Claudine Auger
Inspector Tellini (Giancarlo Giannini) is investigating a series of grisly murders involving women who were paralyzed, but conscious during their deaths. Through the course of his investigation, he uncovers adultery, drugs, and blackmail. After numerous false leads, the true culprit comes out of nowhere and everything is neatly explained in the last couple minutes of the film.
The film is probably best known for featuring three Bond girls in the cast, although they have very little to do. The beautiful Barbara Bouchet disappears ten minutes into the film and a very young and cute Barbara Bach has even less screen time. A surprisingly unglamorous Claudine Auger shows up as a sinister spa owner, but also has very little time onscreen. The title of the film is nonsense and misleading, and only refers to how wasps lay eggs inside of paralyzed spiders, which is far more horrifying than the film itself.
Production-wise, it's a decently shot thriller and Giancarlo Giannini gives an excellent performance as the sensitive and morally conflicted inspector. His relationship with his wife is sweet and subtle, and plays an important role in defining his character and setting the overall tone of the film. Ennio Morricone's unconventional music score is bizarre and unsettling, and prominently features people breathing. The details of the plot are disconnected and make little sense, so you just have to go with the flow and hope that the killer gets caught in the end. While some claim it's one of the best giallo films ever made, I was left underwhelmed.