
A Blade in the Dark
1983 · Movie · Unrated · 109 min · ★ 5.6 · 43% critics
A young composer retreats to a secluded villa to finish music for a horror movie, but the quiet setting quickly turns unsettling. As strange clues pile up and visitors start vanishing, the work begins to feel uncomfortably close to real life.
Also known as House of the Dark Stairway
Where to watch
Watch free on Tubi.
2 hours to watch.
Streaming availability and prices may be inaccurate or change — verify with the provider before subscribing.
unSUB's subscription recommendations are informational only, not financial advice.
More value for your money
Similar titles, ranked by watch-hours per subscription dollar.
Details
- Original title
- La casa con la scala nel buio
- Years
- 1983
- Release date
- 1983-08-06
- Language
- Italian
- Rated
- Unrated
- Runtime
- 109 min
- Max quality
- HD
- Critic score
- 43/100
- TMDB rating
- 5.6/10 (126 votes)
About
You may enjoy this if you like moody, old-school Italian horror with isolated settings, lurid kills, and a pulpy mystery, especially if Seven Blood-Stained Orchids or The House by the Cemetery worked for you; Not for you if slow buildup frustrates you.
Pros: eerie villa setting; tense murder scenes; strong horror atmosphere | Cons: slow pacing; messy story logic; poor English dubbing
Themes
- stalker
- murder
- killer
- tuscany, italy
Cast & crew

Andrea Occhipinti
as Bruno

Anny Papa
as Sandra

Fabiola Toledo
as Angela

Michele Soavi
as Tony Rendina

Valéria Cavalli
as Katia

Stanko Molnar
as Giovanni

Lara Lamberti
as Julia

Giovanni Frezza
as Little Blond Boy in Film (uncredited)

Marco Vivio
as Little Boy in Film #1 (uncredited)
Directed by Lamberto Bava