A Lizard in a Woman's Skin is a 1971 Italian giallo film directed by Lucio Fulci. The film has a reputation for its stylish direction, psychedelic visuals, and its controversial depictions of sex and violence. It is often considered one of the most provocative films of its time.
The film's protagonist is Carol, played by Florinda Bolkan, whose character is struggling with her own repressed desires and the pressures of her upper-class life. Throughout the film, she experiences vivid and increasingly disturbing dreams featuring her neighbor, Julia Durer (Anita Strindberg), and her sexually explicit parties.
When Julia is found brutally murdered, Carol becomes the prime suspect after her own dreams seem to mirror the details of the crime. Despite her protests of innocence, Carol is quickly drawn into a dark world of drugs, sex, and violence as she seeks to clear her name and uncover the truth.
As the investigation progresses, Carol is forced to confront her own desires and confront the various suspects who may have had motive to kill Julia. The film's stylized visuals, including its use of split screens and psychedelic imagery, add to the atmosphere of tension and intrigue.
A Lizard in a Woman's Skin is notable for combining elements of the giallo genre with a surreal and dreamlike sensibility, creating a unique and unsettling viewing experience. The film's controversial content caused it to be banned in several countries upon its initial release, but it has since gained a cult following among fans of Italian horror and exploitation cinema.