Suspiria is a 1977 movie directed by Dario Argento.
Suspiria tells the story of Suzy Bannion, an American who travels to Germany to attend a famous dance academy. An odd series of occult events leads her to discover that the academy is actually a witches’ coven.
Here’s my one-line review of Suspiria: Dario Argento is a master of style and mood…and everything else is secondary.
In other words, there’s a lot about Suspiria that doesn’t make sense. But that’s also not the point.
From its opening seconds, Suspiria is enveloped in a haunting, pulsing – sometimes howling swirl of electronic sounds. The Italian band Goblin create an extraordinary soundtrack that instantly creates tension. The sinister tone carries into the Tanz Academy, which is a brilliant visual creation.
Argento’s vision is a symmetry of terror featuring direct homages to the occult. The patterns create an uneasy feeling – a sort of epileptic response. It’s a direct assault on our senses and a stunning visceral achievement.
The opening scenes involving departed student Pat Hingle are exceptional. There is gore, carefully paced suspense and brilliant imagery couched in an ample supply of campiness.
She escapes from the Academy to a friend’s apartment, where she locks herself in the bathroom. She is assaulted and brutally stabbed. However, Argento teaches a lesson in horror excess as the final wound slices directly through her heart, then she crashes through the ceiling before catching on a noose. It’s a spectacular, over the top image.
Throughout the movie, Argento plays up the symbolism of doors. The opening seconds of Suspiria see Suzy exit through a peculiar set of doors. There’s some ominous foreshadowing occurring here – as later Suzy discovers that the Academy’s teachers have their own distinct way of leaving. Before Pat’s death, her friend wails – furiously beating on two blue doors trying to save her.
Throughout the movie, Argento casts his actors in vibrant red and green spotlights and cool blue hues. Typically, these colors are accompanied by the shrieking, howling Goblin soundtrack. In contrast, the scenes occurring in the mornings or in dance classes are clean and brightly lit.
The movie’s second victim, Sara, is given a similar treatment. She claims to have learned deeper secrets about the Academy through Pat. She confides in Suzy, but is quickly pursued before falling into a pit of barbed wire and likewise slashed. Similarly, the Academy’s blind piano player is viciously attacked by his otherwise gentle guide dog.
And it is only at this point – some hour and ten minutes into the movie – that Suzy finally grows suspicious of her new home.
Again – logic is not the emphasis of Suspiria.
Suzy now plays the role of Junior Detective and tracks down Sara’s friend/psychiatrist, who turns her on to a colleague – who gives an oration regarding the occult origins of the Academy. The speech has an after school special kind of vibe as Suzy slowly begins to understand the evils of the occult.
The remainder of the movie sees Suzy unearth the Coven before engaging in a final battle with the Directress. Argento does a terrific job building to this point, but the ending is predictable and a bit clumsy – and possibly a letdown.
Jessica Harper stars as Suzy and her earnestness trumps her acting prowess. She is endearing as the naive Suzy – much in the way it’s apparent she’s a fresh-faced, inexperienced actress. She is proficient in delivering her lines but wobbly when it comes to conveying emotion.
The scene where she is weakened and then forced to perform is painful to watch. Harper struggles to convey her character’s condition before flopping to the ground in an awkward attempt at fainting. Later, she alternates between sincerity and sleepiness.
However, it’s hard to dislike Harper – and she’s probably the most skilled of the group of younger actors who comprise the dance students. The rest of the cast fills stock roles, including the Nazi-esque Miss Tanner and overtly silly Madame Blanc.
But then again – you’re not watching Suspiria for its stellar acting.
The BEST – The Maggot Scene
Argento does suspense well – most of which you can see coming. However, the biggest surprise of the movie is the maggot infestation that briefly takes over the Academy. The event truly comes out of left field – and then is quickly forgotten.
The BEST Part 2 – Pavlo Gets His Lighter
Pavlo, the lumbering servant, has his eye on Sara’s lighter. In a terrific sight gag, he later gets his reward.
The BEST Part 3 – Give Me Power!!
As Suzy finally discovers the worst-kept secret about her new academy, Madame Blanc goes all-in on being part of a coven. It’s a hilarious campy dialogue that sets in motion the movie’s climatic scene.
The WORST – Everyone Waits a LONG TIME to Reveal Key Details
There’s an ironic bit (I think) where Madame Blanc calls the police after Suzy gives her a piece of late information regarding Pat’s disappearance. This is a running theme – as Sara holds onto vital information for seemingly forever before becoming the Academy’s next victim.
The WORST Part 2 – The Impromptu Expository History Lesson
I’m pretty sure Argento ran out of steam here. Suzy – the occult’s top target/biggest threat – quietly leaves the Academy for an extraordinarily detailed history lesson on the destructive nature of witches….before deciding to return to the scene of more carnage.
The WORST Part 3 – Cash Money Witches
This was a huge theme for about ten minutes early in the movie. As Suzy is introduced to her new classmates, countless references are made to collecting money for a variety of trivial affairs.
The WORST Part 4 – I Could Have Used More Albert
If you make a horror movie with a stunted growth kid dressed in doll clothes, he needs to be in at least five more scenes. Just saying.
FOX FORCE FIVE RATING – 3.5/5
Suspiria is a viscerally exhilarating movie. The environment of sound and color create a gory masterpiece of tension. If you ignore everything else, you’re in for a unique experience.
