The New House on the Left

"L'ultimo treno della notte" belongs among Italian films that are not directly in the giallo genre. It is a good thing because it shows that Italians were able to look at horror in a slightly different way, from a strong realistic, even naturalistic perspective, which in this case is only spoiled by one significant fact - "L'ultimo treno della notte" is simply an unoriginal film for its time. The message is still strong, but it is a shame that the film did not come four years earlier. (01/31/2015)

A technically better executed Last House on the Left. The beginning is incredibly slow, but things start to get interesting on the night train. The abuse here is not exaggerated, it feels real and it’s quite strong as a result. I can take physical torture on screen, the problems begin when I have to watch fifteen minutes of psychological abuse. Really, I won’t watch this film again, I can’t say I enjoyed it, but it still deserves at least three stars. (10/29/2008)

Late Night Trains is the Italian answer to the American success of Craven’sThe Last House on the Left. And at least two light years better. Though maestro Aldo Lado is equally sadistic and cruel, the violence in his work and in the context of the plot isn’t so cheap and gratuitous. The characters are more thoroughly developed, the ethical questions (does a parent have the right to kill their child’s killer?) are more apt and the formalistic aspect is more sophisticated. The initially slow pace gradually speeds up, taking the viewer through unexpected twists and shocks and leading to a breathtaking climax. Bravo! (01/07/2005)