Masters of Horror – “Jenifer” [directed by Dario Argento]

(2006) ***

So here’s the dilemma; you meet a woman with the hottest body you’re ever likely to encounter. This woman has an insatiable appetite for sex, which is a sure thing, and a knack for engendering pity. The problem? Among other things she has abnormally large, black eyes and other facial disfigurement. Do you still want to have sex with her? This is the question posed by Dario Argento’s Masters of Horror contribution, “Jenifer”.



While eating lunch under a bridge, police officer Frank Spivey (the guy from “Wings”) hears a woman screaming. Upon investigating he comes across a man trying to decapitate the hysterical woman. With few options given the immediacy of the crisis Frank shoots the man, who whispers, “Jenifer” before croaking. The grateful woman embraces Frank and as her long, blonde hair falls away she reveals a grotesque visage. She can’t speak, but she is able to communicate via annoying shrieks and giggles. Jenifer is taken to an asylum and Frank is instructed to meet with the police shrink and to go home and have a beer. Returning home, Frank is horny and gets busy with his wife, who becomes shocked and angry when he attempts anal sex. Unable to get Jenifer out of his head he visits her at the asylum, has her discharged, and brings her home, much to his family’s shock the next morning. Ultimately disgusted with the situation after Jenifer parades around naked, Frank’s wife leaves with their teenage son. Meanwhile Frank is delighted with Jennifer. Sure, she has the face of Chewbacca’s mother from the Star Wars Holiday Special,


Oh Malla and Itchy, don’t worry, Chewy will be okay!

but her body is perfect and Frank has full access to it. You would think that Frank would be deterred once he discovered Jenifer’s penchant for eating intestines, both dog and human, but you would be wrong. Frank is able to look the other way, for a while, because Jenifer has a hot body and it’s all his to play with.



Over time, however, Frank cannot keep turning a blind eye to Jenifer’s homicidal behavior. Sure, killing and eating the family dog is one thing, but murdering people to satisfy her hunger? Eventually coming to his senses, Frank must deal with the Jenifer problem once and for all, but how?



“Jenifer” is one of the better contributions to the Masters of Horror series. Trademark Argento touches are peppered throughout including his use of vibrant colors as well as over the top gore. I’m sure this installment elicits different reactions across genders. More than once Whirlygirl turned to me in disgust saying, “How could anyone have sex with her!?” Wishing to avoid a quarrel I noted, “I know, how gross!” Inside I was thinking, “She has a hideous face, true, but, you know…” Jenifer is the modern take on Odysseus and the Sirens and reminds us that men often override common sense when the tacit promise of sex is floating through the air. Jenifer is not scary by any means, but gratuitous nudity and gore will please any horror fan.