A cult classic of supernatural horror, 1977’s „Suspiria“ was directed by Italian filmmaker Dario Argento, and was famous for its striking visuals and overwhelming synth score. More about its look and feel than its story, it followed a young student arriving at an elite dance academy run by a coven of otherworldly witches. In the midst of a power struggle, the witches are working to resurrect an ancient evil known as mother Suspiriorum; the story plays out as a suspenseful mystery, as murders pile up to reveal supernatural secrets.
The 2018 remake, starring Tilda Swinton and Dakota Johnson, is nearly the polar opposite, though it retells the story practically beat-for beat. Instead of a mystery, the audience now knows the school’s secret right off the bat, but watch as its newest student (Johnson) is recruited into their blood cult. While the original was a strikingly colorful extravaganza, the remake is a beautifully shot but otherwise more grounded, gritty film focused more on character than shock value.
With a strange, disquieting tone that escalates as the film progresses, reviews of 2018’s „Suspiria“ were decidedly mixed, with some critics describing it as shocking, and others bold and daring. Though divisive, the remake is an unmissable movie for anyone who loves the art of film; be warned, however, as it’s not for the faint of heart.