A Blade in the Dark

A Blade in the Dark

Year: 1983

Runtime: 109 mins

Language: Italian

Director: Lamberto Bava

ThrillerMysteryHorrorHorror the undead and monster classicsIntense violence and sexual transgression

Bruno, an up‑and‑coming film composer, is hired to score a horror film. He moves into a secluded villa to work, but art and reality blur when a ruthless killer starts murdering anyone who visits, turning his creative retreat into a deadly nightmare. Each scream seems to echo his music, forcing him to face the terror he was meant to soundtrack.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – A Blade in the Dark (1983)

Explore the full timeline and setting of A Blade in the Dark (1983). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Villa where Bruno rents, Basement studio, Pool area

A secluded villa serves as the main setting, rented by the composer Bruno to inspire the horror film. The grounds feature a basement where the groundskeeper Giovanni works, a studio for recording music, and a pool area tied to Linda and Angela’s presence. The space is layered with secrecy, including Linda’s prior tenancy and the killer’s lurking presence, which fuels the escalating danger.

🏡 Villa 🕯️ Haunted atmosphere 🎬 Filming location 🗝️ Secrets

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:56

Main Characters – A Blade in the Dark (1983)

Meet the key characters of A Blade in the Dark (1983), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Bruno (Andrea Occhipinti)

A musician hired to compose the soundtrack who moves into the villa for inspiration. He is observant and cautious, noticing strange events around the house while pursuing the mystery. Bruno’s creative drive and skepticism push him to uncover Linda's secret, even as danger closes in.

🎼 Music 🕵️‍♂️ Investigator 🧭 Determined

Katia (Valéria Cavalli)

A neighbor who flirts with Bruno and later discovers Linda's secret through her diary. She becomes a witness to the villa's creeping danger and is ultimately killed by the killer. Katia's curiosity drives early investigation and hints at the peril lurking in the manor.

🗝️ Secret 🗨️ Curious 🧪 Victim

Giulia / Julia (Lara Lamberti)

Bruno's actress girlfriend who travels for a stage play and remains skeptical of Bruno's suspicions. Her involvement pulls her into the peril as the body count rises, and she ultimately becomes a victim in the escalating horror.

💃 Actress 🧩 Complicated 💔 Victim

Sandra (Anny Papa)

The film's director, working with Bruno to capture fear on screen. She attempts to guard the ending and protect the production but becomes entangled in the villa's deadly secret. Sandra's practical approach clashes with the chaotic reality of a killer on the loose.

🎬 Director 🕊️ Secret 🧭 Investigative

Tony Rendina (Michele Soavi)

Property owner who leaves for his father's rig in Kuwait; revealed as the killer's alter-ego and mastermind behind the murders. His insecurity and childlike behavior fuel the crime, as he uses deception and violence to assert power.

🏢 Owner 🗜️ Hidden 🗡️ Killer

Giovanni (Stanko Molnar)

The groundskeeper living in the basement who becomes entangled in the villa's strange events. His presence grounds the unsettling atmosphere, and his fate interweaves with the killer's deadly actions.

🧰 Groundskeeper 🕳️ Basement 🩸 Victim

Angela (Fabiola Toledo)

Katia's roommate drawn into the villa's mystery. She becomes a target of the killer after Linda's manipulations and the rising violence. Angela's reactions highlight the human cost of the villa's secrets.

👭 Friend 🛡️ Caution 🩸 Victim

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:56

Major Themes – A Blade in the Dark (1983)

Explore the central themes of A Blade in the Dark (1983), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕯️ Fear and obsession

Fear is not just a mood but a driving force that shapes the characters and their actions. Bruno’s quest to capture fear through music, and Sandra’s struggle to control the film’s ending, push everyone toward dangerous choices. The villa’s shadowy corners become a tangible manifestation of inner dread.

🪞 Dual identity

The killer operates under a hidden alter-ego, linking Linda and Tony in a deadly duplicity. This dual identity reveals how internal insecurities and masked desires can drive violent acts. The tension between outward personas and hidden motives fuels the film’s unraveling mystery.

🎬 Filmmaking

The plot centers on the making of a horror film and how its production intersects with real danger. The director's attempts to shape fear clash with the villa’s deadly realities, highlighting the ethics and consequences of portraying horror. Characters grapple with control, deception, and the blurred line between art and truth.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:56

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A Blade in the Dark Summary

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A Blade in the Dark Summary

A Blade in the Dark Timeline

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A Blade in the Dark Timeline

More About A Blade in the Dark

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