RUN, PSYCHO, RUN

Cinemavixion Review

Brunello Rondi's 1968 giallo, "Run, Psycho, Run" (also known as "Le Regine"), plunges viewers into the murky depths of a wealthy English expatriate community in early 19th-century Italy. The film centers on George Dennison, a man haunted by the brutal murders of his wife, Claire, and son. His grief leads him to seek out Anne, a young woman who bears a striking resemblance to his deceased wife. He brings Anne to his family's villa, ostensibly for marriage, but with a hidden agenda: to unmask the killer lurking within his own disquieting relatives. What unfolds is a tense, atmospheric thriller where suspicion permeates the opulent yet claustrophobic setting. Rondi masterfully builds suspense, painting a portrait of a community riddled with secrets and veiled hostility. The characters, trapped in their luxurious isolation, become increasingly suspect as George's investigation grinds on. While the plot summary from the external data offers a slightly different take on the timeline and setting (1912 Tuscan coast vs. early 19th century Italy), the core premise of a grieving husband using a look-alike to uncover a murderer within a closed circle remains consistent. Gary Merrill, Elga Andersen, and Georges Rivière deliver performances that navigate the film's psychological complexities. "Run, Psycho, Run" is a compelling, albeit lesser-known, entry in the giallo canon, offering a bitter revelation that lingers long after the credits roll.