The Second Coming of "Suspiria"

If you’re a serious horror fan, you’ve likely seen (or at least heard of) Dario Argento’s classic Suspiria. The terrifying story of a witches coven operating out of a ballet school in Germany is one of the director’s most revered films. The movie evokes a deep sense of terror and dread. Suspiria has atmosphere to spare, and plays like a nightmare captured on celluloid, set to a pulsating score by the rock band Goblin. The film also features a rich palette that bathes scenes in a spectacular array of phantasmagoric colors. The movie was followed by two (sort of) sequels, Inferno and Mother of Tears, both of which further explored the mythology of the Three Mothers, immortal witches whose power allows them to manipulate mankind behind the scenes. Suspiria has been an inspiration for an entire generation of horror filmmakers. Director Luca Guadagnino, best known for his Oscar-nominated film Call Me By Your Name, helmed a remake of Argento’s groundbreaking thriller in 2018. It’s an alluring, frightening, fascinating and intense re-imagining of the original story.

Tilda Swinton in Suspiria

The film is set in 1977, the year of the original version’s release. It follows the story of Susie Bannion, a young dancer, who arrives in Germany to study at the prestigious Markos Tanzgruppe. The school has a sterling reputation, but there is something odd about the place. One of the students, a dancer named Patricia, has disappeared under very mysterious circumstances. She tried unsuccessfully to convince her therapist, Dr. Klemperer, that there was an evil presence at the school. Susie becomes an integral part of the dance troupe, and forms a bond with Madame Blanc, the artistic director of the academy. It turns out the school really is hiding a secret; the teachers are all witches, under the control of Helena Markos, an ancient being who needs a new host body in order to survive. Susie’s name is at the top of the list for this role, despite Blanc’s misgivings about sacrificing her. As mysterious events and horrible deaths occur, it becomes clear that there is a struggle between Blanc and Markos for control of the coven. Meanwhile, Dr. Klemperer is attempting to uncover the secrets of the academy, but his discoveries may come at a terrible cost.

This new take on Suspiria offers some startling and truly unsettling moments. The dance sequences are unusual and uniquely choreographed. A scene early on where Susie’s movements in her audition mirror the wounds inflicted on Olga, a dancer in another area of the school, is strikingly photographed, as is a group dance sequence later in the film. In contrast to Argento’s use of wild colors, Guadagnino offers a muted palette, though he does use splashes of color for strong effect in several scenes. His direction is excellent, as is the stylish work of his production team. The largely female cast is superb, with Dakota Johnson coming into her own with a strong performance as Susie. The one and only Tilda Swinton is fantastic as Madame Blanc. There's also fine supporting work from Chloe Grace Moretz, Angela Winkler, Mia Goth, and...Swinton, who not only plays Blanc, but also portrays the male Dr. Klemperer and the aged Helena Markos! Jessica Harper, the star of the 1977 version, makes a cameo appearance late in the film.

The story is more linear than the original, which was a triumph of dazzling style over narrative. Screenwriter David Kajganich focuses the core of the story on the strength and power of the female spirit, and its capacity for both good and evil. There are some elements (like a political terrorism subplot which draws attention away from the main story) that feel unnecessary, but overall the slow build to the terrifying, blood-drenched finale is well done. There are a couple of clever twists that help this version stand apart from the original. The effective and understated score is by Thom Yorke of Radiohead. Swinton has called the movie a “cool cover version” rather than a remake, and that’s an apt description. If you’re in the mood for a different kind of horror experience, check out Suspiria. Guadagino’s film has sharply divided critics, as well as fans, and definitely evokes some strong reactions from viewers, but I feel it's worth checking out. The film is available to stream on Amazon Prime, as well as for purchase on DVD and Blu-ray. T. Here’s a link to the trailer for the movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BY6QKRl56Ok.