Stagefright (Aka Deliria) (1987)

Director: Michele Soavi

Starring: David Brandon, Richard Barkeley, Barbara Cupisti

A group of stage actors lock themselves in the theater for a rehearsal of their upcoming musical production, unaware that an escaped psychopath has sneaked into the theater with them.

Set primarily in a theatre, this confined space – and the fact the victims were locked inside – elevated the suspense in this Italian slasher horror.

During rehearsals for a stage play, Alicia sprains her ankle. Although Peter, the director, doesn’t want anyone to leave the theatre, Alicia and her friend Betty sneak out to the nearest medical centre for help.

While at the centre, Irving Wallace, a former actor – now insane – who killed several people, escapes from the institution. Alicia and Betty return to the theatre, and is followed by Irving. When a tragedy occurs, ambitious Peter decides to change the murderous character in his play to Irving Wallace, attempting to cash in on the events.

But when they all find themselves locked inside the theatre with no way out, the night becomes a fight for survival as the maniacal masked killer stalks them one by one. The creepy owl mask creates a very different and memorable looking villain. The kill scenes are gory, and it is easy to see why ‘Stagefright’ became a classic (sort of).

In Italian.

Would I watch it again? I think so, yes.