Dario Argento’s later movies don’t have the best reputations, but revisiting them sometimes pays dividends, as is the case with this mid-2000s effort.
A serial killer is on the loose in Rome and is tormenting the police by offering to play for the lives of his victims. He chooses an online game of poker; if the police win, the kidnapped woman goes free, if they lose, the victim loses a limb… and eventually their life. An Irish exchange agent (Liam Cunningham) helps the investigation, while also getting friendly with the lead of the case, Anna (Stefania Rocca). Unfortunately, it seems none of the police are adept at the card game.
As a police procedural, The Card Player manages to deliver and is particularly gruesome when it comes to the aftermath of the murders, where the effects are particularly grisly. The video poker sequences betray the time it was made, as the low-res graphics and antiquated computers will make for an amusing watch to those not old enough to remember those days. At least it shows Argento was making an effort to move with the superhighway times, albeit cack-handedly. The director doesn’t shy away from being nihilistic, however, killing off some surprising characters.
Where the film really falls down is the dubbing. Luckily, this release includes the original Italian language version. Some of the suspense involved in playing poker is removed, too, since we (naturally) don’t see the killer’s face and any chance of bluffing is negated.
The 4K release of The Card Player is a royal flush, however, as it’s packed with informative bonus features. These include several interviews – Argento included – and an on-set featurette.
THE CARD PLAYER is released on 4K UHD and Blu-ray from August 10th.
