The Stendhal Syndrome 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

The Stendhal Syndrome 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 5, 2026

After taking a creative hit with 1993’s “Trauma,” writer/director Dario Argento hopes to reconnect with his interest in psychological torment in 1996’s “The Stendahl Syndrome.” It’s not a grand change of pace for the helmer, who reunites with previous collaborators, including his daughter, star Asia Argento. What’s slightly different here is use of more creative interests, with the screenplay trying to work with an alleged condition that finds people overwhelmed when surrounded by art. It’s a fine starter pistol for truly twisted behavior, and “The Stendhal Syndrome” gets some of the way there with its macabre depictions of an obsessed killer. The picture has technical highlights and a few effective sequences of danger, but Argento certainly isn’t pushing himself with the feature, which goes on for too long and offers little excitement.

For additional information and analysis, please read the 2008 Blu-ray review by Martin Liebman and the 2017 Blu-ray review by Svet Atanasov.

The Stendhal Syndrome 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray.

"The Stendhal Syndrome" was previously issued on Blu-ray by Blue Underground in 2008 and in 2017. Vinegar Syndrome returns to the title with a new UHD release, listed as "presented in Dolby Vision HDR and newly scanned and restored from its 35mm original camera negative." The viewing experience remains fresh throughout, handling wonderful colors as the hues of the locations and genre touches compete for attention. Sharp primaries are especially potent with artful additions, and costuming remains distinct. Reds are defined, from paint additions to bloodshed. Skin tones are natural. City tours retain exact hues. Detail is excellent, capturing textured skin particulars as the characters experience violent encounters. Clothing is fibrous. Exteriors maintain superb depth, following the characters around city activities and park encounters. Interiors are dimensional, doing especially well in art galleries and office spaces. Blacks are deep, maintaining shadowy events and evening interactions. Highlights are tasteful. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition.

The Stendhal Syndrome 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

"The Stendhal Syndrome" is supplied with two 5.1 DTS-HD MA options: English and Italian. The default is the Italian mix, which provides decent dialogue exchanges, keeping performance choices as clear as possible. Scoring is appreciable, maintaining a fuller sound during its most dramatic stretches, and surrounds are active with musical moods. Atmospherics are appreciable, and sound effects deliver nuance. Low-end isn't too challenged during the listening event. The English track supplies a slightly fresher experience, showing definite improvement with music.

The Stendhal Syndrome 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historians Eugenio Ercolani, Troy Howarth, and Nathaniel Thompson.

• "Lost in Art" (27:38, HD) is an interview with writer/director Dario Argento, who details his first encounter with the concept of the Stendhal Syndrome in New York City, electing to meet the author of a book on the subject to learn more about it, inspiring him to turn the idea into a film. The interviewee explores the production effort, which allowed him to work inside the Uffizi Gallery during the night, relying on cinematographer Giuseppe Rotunno to use skills to help bring out the details of the art, especially as they relate to the psychological needs of the script. Special effects and digital effects are briefly analyzed, and Argento shares his early experience trying to get "The Stendhal Syndrome" off the ground in America, meeting with actress Bridget Fonda on the set of "Single White Female," also struggling to find a suitable museum capable of offering haunting imagery. A celebration of composer Ennio Morricone's contributions to "The Stendhal Syndrome" close out the conversation.

• "Through Her Gaze" (25:23, HD) is an interview with actress Asia Argento, who joined the feature when a previous plan to make the movie with Bridget Fonda fell apart. Interestingly, footage from 1995 publicity efforts are used here to examine characterization and plot, as Argento seems to have forgotten the feature. The interviewee does delve into the possible authenticity of Stendhal Syndrome, and she recalls filming scenes inside a real museum and in the cold depths of the sea while trying to smooch a fish. An understanding of the actress's dynamic with writer/director Dario Argento is offered, along with appreciation for location shooting in Rome and Florence. Technical achievements are celebrated by Argento, who also analyzes American dubbing and the picture's critical reception.

• "Inside the Wounds" (13:08, HD) is an interview with special makeup effects artist Franco Casagni, who tracks his career position leading up to work on "The Stendhal Syndrome," and identifies a particularly troubling day trying to maintain an eye wound effect during a location shoot. The interviewee shares praise for star Thomas Kretschmann, who had to endure plenty of makeup work to detail his character's violent experiences. A few more tricks from the film are shared, and Casagni offers lament for his lost profession, which was taken over by CGI.

• "The Price of Vision" (17:48, HD) is an interview with producer Giuseppe Colombo, who recalls his initial interactions with writer/director Dario Argento, trying to generate interest in a remake of 1975's "Deep Red." Colombo returned to Argento when plans to make "The Stendhal Syndrome" as an American production ran into difficulties, taking the project to Italy, with its assortment of skilled moviemaking professionals. Time shooting inside a real museum is remembered, putting the crew on a tight leash as they labored around real works of art. Technical highlights are analyzed, including the use of real paint on a full-body rubdown sequence, and Argento's on-set presence is recalled, identifying a nervous leader and sometimes combative with his daughter, actress Asia Argento. Colombo also goes over the financial needs and returns of "The Stendhal Syndrome."

• "Shadow Unit" (44:24, HD) is an interview with second unit director Luigi Cozzi, who recounts early efforts to launch "The Stendhal Syndrome" into production, initially with Bridget Fonda and Daryl Hannah. The interviewee shares memories from shooting inside a real art gallery, tasked with maintaining care for everything inside, and he praises cinematographer Giuseppe Rotunno, an industry veteran creating visual magic for the movie. The interviewee examines writer/director Dario Argento's creative drive and visual imagination, but points out an ill-fated plan to use blimps to help acquire unique city shots. Special effects are analyzed, including the use of an oversized bullet to capture reflective surfaces. Design elements are spotlighted, examining the sheer labor involved in many sequences, and musical support is defined, praising the score by Ennio Morricone, also pointing out that Deep Purple was originally pursued to create the soundtrack.

• "Scripted Visions" (15:38, HD) is an interview with screenwriter Franco Ferrini, who recounts the origin story of "The Stendhal Syndrome," admitting his own battle with confusion to help relate to the central concept. Writer Banana Yoshimoto was initially tapped to create the script, whom Ferrini viewed as a professional rival, pushing his way into the project to prevent her from receiving credit. The interviewee points out various creative achievements in the feature, and shares his disappointment with the ending of "The Stendhal Syndrome," preferring his more upbeat take on the climax.

• "Architect of Illusion" (34:11, HD) is an interview with production designer Antonello Geleng, who offers his opinion on the nature of the Stendhal Syndrome theory, and tracks his path to working with writer/director Dario Argento. Production challenges are identified, extending time inside an art gallery that required cinematographer Giuseppe Rotunno to work his magic to help bring it to cinematic life without interfering with the building. Art influences and location shooting are recalled, tasking the crew to pull of specific visuals to sell the world of "The Stendhal Syndrome." The interviewee details his experience with Argento, who was quick to fire anyone who challenged his vision, and he points out various technical challenges, including ideas that didn't work.

• "Behind the Canvas" (33:16, HD) is an interview with special FX artist Sergio Stivaletti, who was caught up in the changing world of digital effects in the early 1990s, tasked with balancing the needs of practical effects and CGI for "The Stendhal Syndrome." The interviewee goes on to highlight many scenes that required intense labor and imagination to pull off, exploring the details of the work.

• English Opening Titles (1:46, SD) are offered.

• And an English Trailer (1:01, SD) is included.

The Stendhal Syndrome 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Stendhal Syndrome" could definitely use a tighter edit, as Argento flounders when attempting to develop a creeping psychological nightmare for the lead character. There's too much dead air in the endeavor, and Asia Argento isn't a sharp enough performer to truly bring out the horror and confusion of the story. The effort noticeably perks up when the helmer gets around to violent happenings, which register with expected extremity and insanity, and a few dips into the surreal are effective. "The Stendhal Syndrome" is a mixed bag, taking its time to get anywhere, but when it does arrive at a macabre situation, Argento gets to play with style and ferocity, helping to boost the appeal of an otherwise semi-snoozy offering of madness.