The Stendhal Syndrome (1996)

In the heart of Rome, the diligent and determined detective, Anna Manni, is assigned by Police Inspector Manetti to the enigmatic case of a rapist serial-killer. Her mission is to tread the historic streets of Florence, tracing the footsteps of the perpetrator, seeking understanding of his motives, and uncovering the reason behind his spared victims. However, Anna's pursuit of truth finds her ensnared in her own psychological maze. She suffers from the rare "Stendhal's Syndrome", a psychosomatic disorder that induces fainting spells and hallucinations at the sight of exquisite artistry and paintings. Her vulnerability is exploited when she succumbs to an episode in a museum, and the depraved killer seizes the chance to ensnare and violate her. This traumatic encounter drastically alters Anna, leading her into the care of the intuitive psychiatrist, Dr. Cavanna, who advises a retreat to the tranquility of her family's countryside home. Yet, the shadows of her ordeal continue to plague her, as the obsessed maniac remains at large, his fixation unwavering. As she finds solace under the protective wing of Detective Marco Longhi, a colleague harboring unspoken feelings for her, Anna's life takes another harrowing turn. The relentless killer kidnaps her, subjecting her to another horrific episode in a desolate cave, the refuge of the city's outcasts. Here, Anna learns the identity of her tormentor, Alfredo Grossi, and in a desperate struggle for survival, she injures him gravely, leaving him to the mercy of a roaring waterfall. However, the absence of a corpse leaves a lingering uncertainty. Haunted by the chilling notion that Alfredo is still alive, and spurred by a fresh victim, Anna is convinced that her nightmare is far from over. The narrative grips the viewer as they traverse the labyrinth of Anna's mind, torn between reality and hallucination, in this relentless pursuit of a phantom menace.

The Stendhal Syndrome is a horror movie featuring Asia Argento.

The Stendhal Syndrome is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and VUDU Free and it's also available on AMC+ Amazon Channel, MUBI, MUBI Amazon Channel, Night Flight Plus, Shudder and Shudder Amazon Channel.

It is also possible to buy The Stendhal Syndrome on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.