Directed by Salvatore Samperi, who wrote the story with Dacia Maraini, Kill the Fatted Calf and Roast It is about a cursed family. Maurizio Degli Esposti plays Enrico, who has left his Swiss boarding school to come home for his father’s funeral. That’s when he remembers just how strange his family is and starts to wonder if his dad’s death really was an accident or if his older brother Cesare (Jean Sorel) did it — he did watch him and his cousin Verde (Marilù Tolo) inject it — and if his family really is doomed.

All of the family’s servants had been let go before the father’s demise and the most faithful of them, Talia (Aleka Paizi) has been put into a mental home. This is the same place where Enrico’s mother was committed in the past and where she presumably killed herself. Even though that happened in his childhood, Enrico feels a closeness to her and constantly listens to tapes of her voice. This is all the evidence that Cesare needs to try and put Enrico into that same clinic. Our protagonist’s mistake is being in love with Verde, who could be just as bad as his brother, and who he feels a love beyond family — yes, the incestual love that Italian horror seems to flirt so much with — and it’s even odder because she reminds him of his mother, so it’s like double family obsession. When he gets pneumonia, she should be taking care of him, but she may also have her own sinister plan.

After Arcana, this is the second movie I’ve watched where Maurizio Degli Esposti is in love — really in love — with his mother. To give you another reason to watch this strange giallo, the Ennio Morricone soundtrack is great.

You can watch this on YouTube.