This 38-Years-Old Flick With 55% on RT Is an Underrated Action Horror for Hardcore Fans of the Genre

Dick Maas' work is inextricably linked with Amsterdam. Several of his movies, including his most famous ones, The Lift and Flodder, are set in the city.

While his colleagues flocked to Hollywood, Maas preferred to work in his home country. Because of his dedication, the Dutch genre school is almost exclusively associated with his work.

Let's take a look back at Amsterdamned, one of the director's most iconic films.

What Is 'Amsterdamned' About?

Police Inspector Eric Visser is investigating a series of murders in the canals of Amsterdam. The maniac randomly attacks people in or near the water and kills them with extreme brutality.

Visser only manages to track down the culprit when Laura, a member of the diving club, joins the investigation.

'Amsterdamned' Is the Dutch Answer to the Italian Giallo Genre

Amsterdamned cannot be considered a true giallo, an Italian thriller genre named after crime fiction book covers. This is primarily because the protagonist is a police officer – in a classic giallo, the amateur detective takes center stage while law enforcement remains in the background.

Yet Maas achieved something almost unbelievable – he combined eccentric humor and a dark atmosphere in just the right proportions.

Like a giallo, the movie features an image of faceless evil. The camera focuses on the killer's hands clutching a knife and his crazed eyes while barely capturing the silhouette of the criminal in the frame. This creates a sense of omnipresent, almost infernal evil.

In contrast to the glittering lights of real-life Amsterdam, the film is dominated by black. The criminal's diving suit, dark alleys, and cobblestone streets all contribute to the nightmarish atmosphere.

'Amsterdamned' Is a Brilliant Combination of Action, Horror, and Caustic Comedy

The secret to the success of Amsterdamned lies in its blend of police thriller and giallo elements and its rare combination of a dark atmosphere and dark humor.

Inspector Visser is hardly a typical hero – he clashes with his teenage daughter, and his preoccupation with his affair with Laura hinders the investigation.

Through comical scenes, the director depicts the police's reluctance to confront the villain – the law enforcement officers appear, to put it mildly, unaccustomed to serious work.

Maas not only demonstrates a mastery of creating a dark atmosphere, but also an ability to deftly combine disparate genre elements. Here, humor and action don't relegate suspense to the background, rather, they make the narrative realistic and vibrant.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Amsterdamned'?

• Amsterdamned has 55% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 6.6/10.

• On Letterboxd, Amsterdamned scored 3.3/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Amsterdamned'?

Amsterdamned is available to stream on Tubi.