Dario Argento (born 7 September 1940) is an Italian director, screenwriter, and producer widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in horror cinema, especially the giallo tradition of stylish, suspense-driven thrillers. He began his career as a film critic and screenwriter before making his directorial breakthrough with The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970), a major success that helped popularise giallo internationally. Argento became known for elaborate set-pieces, striking colour and lighting, subjective camerawork, and visceral violence, often paired with bold music choices that heightened the dreamlike intensity of his films.
His best-known works include Deep Red (1975), Suspiria (1977), Inferno (1980), and Tenebrae (1982), films praised for their aesthetic flair and enduring impact on horror filmmakers around the world. Argento also collaborated closely with key artists in Italian genre cinema, including actress Daria Nicolodi and later his daughter, actress and director Asia Argento, and he frequently worked with distinctive composers such as Goblin. Over a long career, his style helped shape modern horror’s visual language, and his films remain cult favourites, celebrated for their artistry as much as their shocks.
Deep Red
Deep Red was filmed primarily on location in Turin, Italy, over a 16-week period. Director Dario Argento chose Turin because he felt its "magical" atmosphere.
Suspiria
Suspiria (1977) was primarily filmed in Italy, with studio work done at De Paolis Studios in Rome and exteriors shot in Munich, Germany.