The Monster

In the late 1970s, Italian neo-noir crime thriller 'The Monster' delves into the psyche of a serial killer, weaving a complex narrative that blurs the lines between innocence and guilt. Directed by Dario Adriano, the film takes a nonconformist approach, presenting a protagonist who is more than just a suspect in a high-profile case. The narrative begins with Loris, a seemingly ordinary landscape gardener and shop-window outfitter, who finds himself caught in a web of suspicion. Loris possesses a peculiar trait – a knack for getting entangled in compromising situations. These instances, however, are always met with a cleverly concocted explanation, one that leaves the viewers questioning the reliability of Loris's claims of innocence. It is during this backdrop of suspicion that Loris is brought under the spotlight, accused of being a vicious serial sex killer. The irony lies in the fact that Loris has an airtight alibi for each of the alleged crimes, leaving the police perplexed and baffled. In an attempt to unravel the mystery, a determined and enigmatic undercover policewoman Jessica is assigned by the eccentric police psychologist Taccone to follow and investigate Loris. Jessica, with her unique perspective and observational skills, begins to dig deeper into Loris's life, scrutinizing his every move, interaction, and conversation. As she delves deeper, she starts to notice inconsistencies in Loris's character, sparking an internal conflict within her about whether he is actually the monster the police suspect him to be. Through Jessica's character, the film raises several thought-provoking questions. How can something so sinister hide behind such an innocuous facade? Can a seemingly normal individual be capable of committing such heinous crimes? The answers lie in the complexities of human psychology, and 'The Monster' skillfully navigates these gray areas to create an absorbing and suspenseful narrative. Jessica's investigation takes her down a path where nothing is as it seems, and she encounters Loris in various situations where their relationship gradually shifts from that of a suspect and an investigator to one of mutual understanding. Loris, a multifaceted character, is portrayed as a sympathetic and vulnerable individual, and the film expertly crafts his character development. The 1974 original by Dario Argento bears no relation to this movie plot, and is an unrelated work from the 'Animal with Five Fingers' film franchise, and I could only find information on the 'The Monster' film starring Stanko Bucci, which is now referred to here.