A score of 81 for Strange Vice is a bit misleading considering its classic status. The film lost crucial points for its non-Italian location and lower scoring motive. In addition, Julie Wardh is far from an amateur detective, preferring to let the events of the story unfold rather than figure them out ahead of time.

But this should be expected since all of Sergio Martino's Gialli have a tendency for being unconventional. This entry appears very early in the history of the genre and Martino went on to direct another straight-forward Giallo after this one (The Case Of the Scorpion's Tail), but then his vision evolved and the three films that follow really push the boundries of the genre.

Stylistically Strange Vice might not be as as slick as an Argento or Bava film, but Martino makes good use of his abilities to visually establish Julie Wardh's conflicted mental state and the set locations are gorgeously photographed.

But what stands out the most about the film is its storyline, which has just enough twists and turns to be exciting without getting too complicated. Watching the plot unfold among the four main characters is a engaging experience that doesn't lose its effectiveness with repeat viewings.

If you're new to Sergio Martino and looking to branch out from Argento, this is a great film to start with.