Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

Sweets from a Stranger Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 2, 2025

1987’s “Sweets from a Stranger” intends to be a thriller, but the screenwriting often neglects to add murder and mystery to the endeavor. There are really two movies competing for screen time in the offering, which follows the organization efforts of Italian prostitutes as they face the deadly wrath of a serial killer looking to eliminate them. It’s a union picture in a strange way, adding an interesting empowerment angle to the feature, but director Franco Ferrini doesn’t go far enough with the idea, merely returning to it on occasion as he faces feeble dramatics and a story of threat that contains little to no intimidation factor. “Sweets from a Stranger” possesses a lot of potential, but next to nothing emerges with authority, watching tension dwindle and relationships blur as Ferrini attempts to figure out what kind of story he wants to tell.

Lena (Barbara De Rossi) is fresh to the world of prostitution, attempting to find her territory as she deals with clients. Other working girls don’t take kindly to the new addition, urging Lena to follow the rules of engagement, adding to the community of streetwalkers. Trouble is brewing in the city, as a masked killer is on the loose, targeting the sex workers with a straight razor and a “captive bolt pistol,” determined to slaughter invaders in the most painful way possible. Recognizing a growing threat, Stella (Mara Venier), Isa (Anna Galiena), Monica (Anny Papa), and a number of prostitutes elect to organize, creating a gang to help defend themselves from the dangers of the night. The ladies are searching for help, on the hunt for a male witness to one of the murders, and they’re managing troubles in their own lives, as Lena confronts the reality of her choices and Stella deals with condemnation from her community.

“Sweets from a Stranger” is meant to be taken seriously, but there’s some unintended comedy in the feature. This includes the killer, finding the masked, gloved menace looking to take down victims with a razor and a gun…while riding a bike. It’s not the most haunting imagery for a giallo, delivering a healthy dose of oddness to a movie that’s attempting to be somewhat sincere in its concern for the characters. This includes Lena, who’s trying to establish herself on the scene while struggling with the details of the job. Stella is a veteran ostracized for her vocation. And there’s Angela (Marina Suma), a married woman turning to prostitution to help make ends meet, eventually falling for one of her customers.

There’s enough in this world of woe to fill a movie, following the women as they handle their issues and battle dark thoughts. “Sweets from a Stranger” keeps filling the frame with personalities, including Lena’s relationship with Isa’s daughter and a senior citizen still in the game, giving the feature a wide range of characters to follow. The offering is almost functional as a drama, tracking the sex workers as they take command of their safety, building defenses as they record license plates, travel in pairs, and bring mace to the workplace. However, there’s a murder tale to tend to, and “Sweets from a Stranger” takes long breaks from violence, which is a strange development in a picture that’s meant to focus on such a defined threat.

Sweets from a Stranger Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.67:1 aspect ratio) presentation is listed as "newly scanned and restored in 2K from its 35mm original camera negative." Detail is generally strong during the viewing experience, examining ample skin particulars and extensive costuming as the women of the night carry on with their business. Interiors deliver a decent examination of decorative additions, and exteriors maintain depth as the story takes the characters around town. Color is alert, doing well with makeup additions, including intense red lips. Hair color is also distinct. Primaries are defined in living spaces and signage. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is strong, preserving evening activity. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition.

Sweets from a Stranger Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix struggles a bit with elements of age, finding volume levels just a bit uneven at times. Clarity isn't threatened, keeping dialogue exchanges intelligible as multiple characters often interact at the same time. Scoring isn't sharp, but instrumentation is appreciable, along with surges in suspense. Sound effects are acceptable.

Sweets from a Stranger Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historians Troy Howarth and Eugenio Ercolani.

• "Cruising for Sweets" (35:21, HD) is an interview with writer/director Franco Ferrini, who began his film career via book research on Sergio Leone, receiving an opportunity to spend time with the director, pulled into his creative orbit, eventually assisting on the screenplay for "Once Upon a Time in America." Collaborations continued, joining Dario Argento for "Phenomenon" and "Opera," and Lamberto Bava for "Demons." Other professional achievements are analyzed, including 1985's "Nothing Underneath," sharing thoughts on director Carlos Vanzina. Talk eventually turns to "Sweets from a Stranger," and the interviewee, being a die-hard cineaste, carefully climbed into the director's chair, overseeing casting and style. Ferrini's helming ambitions stopped at just a single release, referring to himself as a "fool" for not trying again. Admitting he has "mixed feelings" about the movie, the interviewee offers his thoughts on "Sweets from a Stranger," pointing out a few mistakes and power plays he lost.

• "Sweets Maker" (18:26, HD) is an interview with producer Claudio Bonivento, who wanted to work with director Franco Ferrini, happily accepting his pitch for a thriller, soon embarking on the "circus"-like atmosphere of the "Sweets from a Stranger" shoot. The interviewee definitely has his opinions about the actresses hired for the picture, sharing some ideas on her more volatile nature, and he's open about Ferrini's lack of directorial instinct, occasionally growing frustrated with his work. Bonivento tends to get a little sidetracked in his thoughts, discussing the unstable nature of the film business and its many participants over the years, reflecting on several creative challenges.

• "Kill Me with Your Smaila" (29:57, HD) is an interview with composer Umberto Smaila, who got his start in classical music before exploring the world of rock, finding his way to film scoring in the late 1970s. The interviewee also details his experiences as an actor during this time period, recalling work on several productions, including "Urban Animals." Smaila shares memories of director Carlos Vanzina and his own musical progression, working quickly to find the atmosphere of his assignments. Additional creative achievements are also analyzed.

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

Sweets from a Stranger Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Sweets from a Stranger" ultimately grows too distracted, piling on asides to a point where the central crisis is almost entirely forgotten, at least up to the extended finale, which doesn't carry any suspense, and climatic reveals are absurd. It's a weirdly overstuffed endeavor (there's a late inning addition highlighting one of the prostitutes and her concern for a homeless child) that's not offered much in the way of leadership from Ferrini, who struggles to maintain focus on the essentials of character and crisis. He has a colorful cast of actresses to work with, who provide the movie with some emotional depth, but what the feature really needs is concentration on the basics of suspense and relationships.