Beyond the Darkness (film)

Beyond the Darkness, also known as Buio Omega (Italian title), is a 1979 Italian horror film directed by Joe D'Amato (under the pseudonym Michael Wotruba). The film is known for its extreme gore and disturbing subject matter, which has led to it being banned or censored in several countries.

The plot revolves around a young man, Frank, who is obsessed with his recently deceased girlfriend, Anna. In an attempt to preserve her, he embalms her corpse and keeps it in his mansion. Frank's housekeeper, Iris, initially disapproves of his actions but gradually becomes complicit. As Frank descends further into madness, he begins to bring other women to the mansion, where he subjects them to torture and murder, adding their body parts to his macabre collection.

Beyond the Darkness is considered a video nasty and is often categorized as part of the cannibal horror subgenre, although cannibalism itself is not explicitly depicted. The film's graphic violence, necrophilia, and overall depravity have made it highly controversial and a cult favorite among fans of extreme horror. Its notoriety often overshadows discussions of its technical aspects or narrative merits. The film's score is by Goblin, known for their work on other Italian horror films.