Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Trauma Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 24, 2020

“Trauma” has been classified by the experts as a giallo, but it’s a stretch to keep it in the subgenre. Sure, there’s something of a mystery going on during the feature, and hellraising is committed by a black-gloved killer wielding a straight razor. Elements are there, but the screenplay is more influenced by Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho,” going the slasher route with its tale of a remote inn and the strange person who runs it. Perhaps this distance from strict giallo-ing is good for director Leon Klimovsky, who gets far enough with strange interactions and sexploitation interests here. “Trauma” isn’t a nail-biter, but it holds together as an odd knock-off.

Author Daniel (Heinrich Starhemberg) is searching for a quiet place to lie low, hoping to work on his latest project and keep at arm’s length from his wife, who doesn’t know where he’s gone. He selects a rural inn for his stay, quickly beguiled by owner Veronica (Agata Lys), a beautiful woman who’s genuinely interested in the guest’s life. Her attention is often cut short by her sickly husband, who remains in his bedroom, making demands of his wife. As Daniel makes a play to seduce Veronica, their attraction is interrupted by the arrival of other guests. Also ruining the mood is a shadowy killer targeting the visitors, with Daniel slowly catching on to the danger that surrounds him.

“Trauma” basically remains inside the inn, studying Daniel’s growing infatuation with Veronica. She offers a happy front, sharing clay figures she makes in her spare time, and she’s taken with her guest and his relatively exotic life of writing. The screenplay provides plenty of time between the pair, getting into more traditional horror events with the addition of other guests, including mountain climbers and a prostitute enjoying the weekend with her client. Tension doesn’t grow with any authority in “Trauma,” but it’s hard to deny its B-movie appeal, highlighting sexual games among the new arrivals. Veronica has her own psychological issues to deal with as well, balancing her freedom in the inn with her imprisonment upstairs, forced to satisfy any request her husband makes. Daniel has an adventure well, making a curious connection to a local boy.

Trauma Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Working to give "Trauma" renewed life on Blu-ray, Vinegar Syndrome offers a "Newly scanned and restored" AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation, sourced from the 35mm original negative. Colors are powerful, leading with bold yellow titles and Daniel's wardrobe, which favors primaries. Costuming is superb all around, offering deep reds and blues, while household tours deliver periwinkle bathrooms and a wood-paneled living room. Skintones are natural. Greenery is exact. Detail also comes alive during the viewing event, keeping close-ups alert with defined skin surfaces. Costuming is fibrous. Interiors are textured, surveying decorations. Exteriors retain ideal depth. Delineation is strong. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good shape, encountering some speckling and scratches, and some mild wear and tear.

Trauma Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix presents "Trauma" with a basic understanding of elements. Dialogue exchanges are acceptable as dubbed voices engage in conversations and arguments. Highs aren't shrill. Scoring is erratically positioned around the movie, but synth stings are comfortable. Sound effects are blunt, though some squeak through with subtlety, including the sound of water dripping inside the inn during a rainstorm.

Trauma Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historian Troy Howarth.

• Promotional Image Galley (:30) collects poster art and press book pages.

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

Trauma Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Trauma" offers select slashings, keeping the gloved threat moving around the inn, picking off those just looking for a good time. Violence isn't artfully handled, but it's there, giving the picture a few jolts of bloody activity. "Trauma" isn't a great movie by any stretch of the imagination, but there's an uneasy energy about it that's reasonably compelling, and lead performances from Lys and Starhemberg are satisfactory. It's not a wily giallo, but it's a passably sleazy slasher.