Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

Obsession: A Taste for Fear Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 2, 2025

1987’s “Obsession: A Taste for Fear” takes viewers into the future. The actual year isn’t shared by the movie, but it’s a tomorrow that offers video production, laser guns, go-kart-like cars, and, well, rotary phones. The details of this vision aren’t exactly worked out by director Piccio Raffanini, but the helmer is absolutely committed to style, trying to transform this murder mystery into a highly visual picture that’s loaded with lighting, color, and characters in various stages of undress. “Obsession: A Taste for Fear” lives up to its title, as so much of the screenplay is devoted to people who simply can’t stop fixating on one another, and Raffanini is dedicated to selling the erotic possibilities of the endeavor. The film doesn’t contain much suspense, lacking a tighter grip on tension as a killer is on the loose, best left for those solely interested in low-budget cinematic achievements sold with noticeable technical effort.

Diane (Virgina Hey, Warrior Woman from “The Road Warrior”) is an accomplished erotic photographer who enjoys manipulating her models. Georges (Gerard Darmon) is her ex-husband, a bondage video creator who also delights in creating charged imagery. Diane is supported by her assistants, Paul (Carlo Mucari) and Valerie (Gioia Scola), and she’s prepared to work with Teagan (Teagan Clive), a muscular model with a drug problem ready to be the star of a new photoshoot. Teagan is soon murdered while in bondage gear, putting Diane on edge and Lt. Arnold (Dario Parisini) on the case, driven to solve the mystery and shadow the suspects. Diane is tempted by Kim (Carin McDonald), Teagan’s roommate, and she’s also drawn to Arnold, complicating her personal quest to find the killer, who’s not finished picking off those close to the case.

“Obsession: A Taste for Fear” spends a lot of screen time on Diane’s work. She’s a photographer who enjoys eroticism and power, often berating models and staff when they fail to perform as commanded. This allows Raffanini to include a large amount of nudity in the film, poring over the details of bodies with his camera. The giallo elements of “Obsession: A Taste for Fear” aren’t too pronounced, as murder isn’t prioritized by the material. Investigation is, introducing Lt. Arnold as a tough cookie who’s unwilling to compromise on his detective work, keeping a close eye on Diane, who’s perfectly willing to hide evidence, and Georges, who enjoys creating violent imagery.

Teagan’s death should be the main plot of “Obsession: A Taste for Fear,” but Raffanini is easily distracted, moving away from sleuthing to explore strange surges of desire, finding Diane’s lust for Arnold especially bewildering. She’s hot for the cop, and she’s also open to anyone else, including Kim, who becomes a lover as well. There’s a pay cable sex show vibe to “Obsession: A Taste for Fear,” but Raffanini isn’t skilled at bringing the heat. He’s more invested in creating MTV-style imagery, as most of the picture looks like a Duran Duran video, which has its moments. There’s certainly some effort made here to boost the cinematic presence of the movie.

Obsession: A Taste for Fear Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Obsession: A Taste of Fear" is listed as "newly scanned and restored in 4K from its 35mm original camera negative." The production is out to be as stylish as possible, and colors are certainly striking during the viewing experienced. Grand floods of reds, blues, and green are a common sight, maintaining sharpness. Additional "futuristic" hues are just as powerful, keeping up with computerized images and heavy makeup additions. Hair color is striking. Skin tones are natural. Detail is strong, exploring the ample skin particulars in the feature, joined by textured costuming and frequent sheerness. Studio and domestic interiors are open for inspection, and exteriors are deep. Delineation is strong, preserving evening activity and low-light encounters. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition.

Obsession: A Taste for Fear Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix show signs of age, as sibilance is present throughout the listening event. Intelligibility isn't threatened, keeping up with performance choices from a range of dubbing actors. Scoring supports with a slightly duller presence, joined by soundtrack selections, which also face mild source limitations. Sound effects are blunt but appreciable.

Obsession: A Taste for Fear Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historians Nathaniel Thompson and Eugenio Ercolani.

• "This Used to Be the Future" (29:13, HD) is an interview with writer/director Piccio Raffanini, who describes himself as a "restless young man" during his formative years, settling into the life of a DJ, working local clubs. 1966's "A Man and a Woman" inspired a love of cinema, putting Raffanini on a hunt to recapture such emotion, and he broke into the business as a set photographer, learning the ways of the industry. The interviewee examines his early work in television and music videos, overseeing the creation of clips for bands like Ultravox and the Ramones. Talk turns to "Obsession: A Taste for Fear," which Raffanini admits was a chaotic experience, struggling with the writer and producer. Casting is highlighted, including the addition of Teagan Clive, a bodybuilder hired for her appearance, not acting skill. Raffanini isn't exactly thrilled with "Obsession: A Taste for Fear," amusingly pointing out more problems the longer he discusses it, eventually moving on to other career achievements.

• "Supervising the Obsession" (15:48, HD) is an interview with production supervisor Luciano Lucchi, who developed his industry experience in television, meeting others while working on the alternative music show "Mister Fantasy." Connections and employment developed throughout the 1980s, finding Lucchi participating in a large assortment of projects, eventually connecting with writer/director Piccio Raffanini. "Obsession: A Taste for Fear" is soon recalled, described as "quite exhausting to make" due to competing creative visions for the feature. The endeavor also struggled with its sci-fi concepts, finding Raffanini striving to make the effort unique.

• "A Taste for Synths" (14:01, HD) is an interview with composer Gabriele Ducros, who followed his father's footsteps into the industry, finding work in commercials to showcase his skills. He soon was hired for "Obsession: A Taste for Fear," but the interviewee has no real interest in discussing the picture, preferring to examine other creative achievements during the prime of his career, and his current work in television.

• "Cinema Killed the Video Star" (19:22, HD) is a video essay by Rachael Nisbet.

• Alternate Italian Titles and Credits (4:06, HD) are offered.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included on this release.

Obsession: A Taste for Fear Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Thriller elements don't arrive in "Obsession: A Taste for Fear," which eventually crawls to an anticlimactic conclusion. Storytelling is generally pushed aside for style, and there's plenty of it in the picture, and it just might be enough to keep viewers engaged as Raffanini adds so much oddity to his endeavor in a quest to sell his concept of a future in erotic photography and video creation. As a mystery, the effort is limp, distractingly so, and while there's time spent creating moments of danger and menace, Raffanini doesn't follow through on the traditional pressure points of giallo entertainment. He's more interested in making a Playboy video instead.