“You know, in the old days, if a witch betrayed her coven, they would kill her.”
Nancy-The Craft
The original Suspiria is one of my favorite horror films of all time. I remember the first time I watched it. I was in college and working the third shift alone at a department store cleaning floors. The job would only take six hours, but management would lock the doors, and I’d have to stay locked in for twelve hours. So I had a lot of time to watch movies. It’s probably the most scared I’ve ever been watching a film.
When Luca Guadagnino made this remake, I was annoyed at another silly attempt by Hollywood to remake a perfect horror film. Layered onto this was my distaste for Guadanino’s other films. But when he released Bones and All, it changed my mind. I loved that film and quickly added this remake to my watch list. I still struggle with some editing choices Guadagnino makes in his films, but I believe he’s an effective horror director.
Suspira (2018) is a fantastic example of twisting a classic film just enough to make it feel fresh. The 2018 film is almost an hour longer than the original, but it feels merited. Guadagnino allows for long dance pieces and also gives side characters screen time that allows us to connect with them. The horror elements aren’t scary or intense outside of a few scenes. But this film isn’t about jump scares or making you uneasy. It’s about exploring motherhood and matriarchy.
The cast is fabulous. Dakota Johnson has rapidly become one of my favorite actresses, and this film adds to that notion. She’s simultaneously innocent and seductive. It’s a rare quality. Her body and athleticism are the film’s focus, but it never feels exploitative. Tilda Swinton’s balanced motherly performance was unexpected because I expected her to be harsh and stern. She plays her role as Blanc as soft and thoughtful rather than a general preparing an army. I won’t spoil anything, but she plays two other characters in this film, and I didn’t realize it until the credits.
Thom Yorke’s score is haunting, and the dance choreography is brilliant. The cinematography captures the contrast between the dance studio and war-torn Germany beautifully. The script is a little overwritten, and while the film doesn’t feel long, I believe the last fifteen minutes were superfluous. Every scene is meticulously assembled, and the climax is breathtakingly shot. Dakota Johnson is officially one of my favorite actresses. She provides a powerful performance. Tila Swinton once again plays multiple roles and does it effortlessly. I think the themes are a little heavy-handed and sometimes on the nose. Luca Guadagnino’s Suspiria doesn’t quite reach Dario Argento’s masterpiece, but it’s a more than worthy attempt.
Rating: 8/10
