“Stage Fright” is a horror film directed by Michele Soavi and released in 1987. The movie tells the story of a group of actors who are rehearsing a musical based on the life of a serial killer. One of the actors, Alicia, leaves the theater to buy cigarettes and is chased by a masked figure. She seeks refuge in a nearby mental hospital, where she witnesses the murder of a patient by a nurse.
The killer follows Alicia back to the theater, and the rest of the movie takes place as the actors are trapped inside and stalked by the murderer. The killer’s identity is revealed in a twist ending.
“Stage Fright” is notable for its use of a large owl mask as the killer’s disguise, which has become an iconic image in horror cinema. The film has received mixed reviews but has gained a cult following among fans of Italian horror and giallo films.
| Directed by | Michele Soavi |
|---|---|
| Produced by | Aristide Massacessi Donatella Donati |
| Written by | Lew Cooper Sheila Goldberg |
| Starring | David Brandon Barbara Cupisti Mary Sellers Giovanni Lombardo Radice Jo Ann Smith Robert Gligorov Piero Vida |
| Music by | Simon Boswell Guido Anelli Stefano Mainetti |
| Cinematography | Renato Tafuri |
| Edited by | Kathleen Stratton |
| Production company |
DMV Distribuzione Filmirage |
| Distributed by | Artists Entertainment Group |
| Release date | 1987 |
| Running time | 86 minutes |
| Country | Italy |