This is the closest Argento ever got to a more mainstream attempt to deal with issues; in this case the effects of rape on the psyche. However, he still fails in the same way as the truly dire I Spit on Your Grave (1978) because he just ends up dehumanising his lead character when he makes her stoop to the level of the killer. This is still a decent film because he does not wallow in exploitation elements to the same degree as the misguided Meir Zarchi, and the rape/assault scenes are very much from the point of view of Asia Argento's character which makes us identify much more with her and her misery. It is interesting that the trailer has a more explicit shot of the killer fondling her nude upper torso, whereas the final edit cuts this shot out - definately to the benefit of the film and his reputation. I am very glad that Argento tempers the exploitation in favour of good taste (well, as much as is possible given the subject and his past track record). I just wish he cut out the dire CGI, and never used it again in his other more recent flicks (Mother of Tears: The Third Mother [2007]). All in all, an under-rated and superbly crafted film.