Domiziano Cristopharo – “The Museum of Wonders” [DVD Review]

After glancing at the skull on the cover I was expecting a low budget horror movie, but The Museum of Wonders is more of a statement on the ugliness of prejudice and greed in society than a horror flick. Thinly veiled in a horror movie shell this film works on a much deeper level. The group of side show performers and freaks may not be your typical family, but I would argue that they are indeed a family and serve here as a microcosm for society as a whole.

The premise of the movie is a pretty straightforward one; the beautiful circus dancer Salome finds out that the circus’ owner has just inherited a large sum of money (did I mention that this owner is a dwarf?). She sets her evil plot born of greed in motion and things spiral from there much to the dismay of the other sideshow freaks; I won’t spoil the rest.

The cinematography is fabulous and the acting is decent, especially for a low budget film. I think the only real criticism (and perhaps it’s just me), is the dialogue which is spoken in a poetic kind of verse that I found at times annoying and at others, confusing. It also doesn’t help that this is an Italian movie with English subtitles. Over all though, The Museum of Wonders was odd enough to keep my interest and is definitely a movie with a powerful message.

Run Time: 99 mins
Release Date: April 2010

Check out the movie trailer