Synopsis
A young Romanian woman and a recovering drug addict launch an unlikely investigation after her parents are murdered by a vicious serial killer known as The Headhunter.
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Cast
- Christopher RydellDavid Parsons
- Asia ArgentoAura Petrescu
- Piper LaurieAdriana Petrescu
- Frederic ForrestDr. Judd
- Laura JohnsonGrace Harrington
- Dominique SerrandStefan Petrescu
- James RussoCapt. Travis
- Brad DourifDr. Lloyd
- Sharon BarrHilda Volkman
- Hope Alexander-WillisLinda Quirk
Recommendations
- 83
Entertainment Weekly
Never a terribly coherent storyteller, here the gorehound’s Godard dispenses almost entirely with the plot development. Instead, Argento concentrates on mood, and, making terrific use of various run-down Minneapolis locations, he succeeds in giving Trauma the feel of a waking nightmare - 70
IGN
The script – which revolves around a serial killer and explores the idea of traumas both mental and physical – isn't particularly strong, but the direction is, as always, first-rate. - 70
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
While Trauma is a veritable stew of psychological motivation compared to so many of the director's other films, the prevailing motivation remains, just as it is with Argento's killers, technique. [15 Sep 1993] - 63
Slant Magazine
Trauma is both an underachieving Deep Red and an unpolished facsimile of Stendhal Syndrome, and where Tenebre invites active spectatorship, Trauma is convoluted to the point of distraction, worth savoring solely for Argento’s excesses of gore. - 60
TV Guide Magazine
The first American feature from Italian cult director Dario Argento, TRAUMA is not as flamboyant and extreme as his previous films but still manages to deliver the goods. - 60
Screen Rant
While the film has an excellent concept, its overuse of traumatic medical conditions, disorders, botched surgeries, and motherhood makes for a confusing plot that has too many moving parts to retain a cohesive story. - 50
Time Out
There isn't a half decent performance to be found here, and his own daughter in the female lead is particularly awful. Also, a barely credible plot and uneven pacing don't help. Yet Argento's occasionally brilliant camerawork and the evident glee with which he sets about the decapitation scenes make this just about worthwhile. - 50
Slashfilm
A film that ultimately feels forgettable as nothing about it, from visuals to score, finds a home in your brain (and that includes ending with a weird music video during the end credits).
