Suspiria (1977) Review: A Vivid Nightmare of Horror and Beauty

**Simon** (0:00)
Let's review Suspiria. Dario Argento's 1977 film Suspiria is a mesmerizing journey into the world of horror, where the boundaries between reality and nightmare blur. The film follows Susie Banyan, played by Jessica Harper, an American ballet student who arrives at the prestigious Tanzdance Academy in Germany. From the moment she steps off the plane, Susie is enveloped in a world of eerie occurrences and unsettling secrets. The Academy, with its labyrinthine hallways and vibrant colours, becomes a character in itself, setting the stage for a tale that is as much about atmosphere as it is about plot. Argento, known for his mastery of the horror genre, crafts Suspiria with a visual and auditory flair that is both captivating and unsettling. The film's cinematography, helmed by Luciano Tovelli, is a feast for the eyes, utilising Technicolor's three-colour dye transfer process to create a vivid and surreal visual experience. The colours are not just a backdrop, but an integral part of the storytelling, enhancing the film's dreamlike quality. The score by Goblin, a progressive rock band, adds another layer of intensity, with its haunting melodies and pulsating rhythms that echo throughout the film, creating an immersive soundscape that heightens the tension. The narrative of Suspiria is deliberately disjointed, reflecting the chaotic and nightmarish world Susie finds herself in. The film opens with a striking sequence that sets the tone for the horrors to come. As Susie navigates the Academy, she encounters a series of bizarre and gruesome events from maggot infestations to the mysterious deaths of her fellow students. The film's plot, while seemingly simple, is rich with symbolism and allusions to fairy tales and folklore, drawing inspiration from sources like Thomas de Quincy's Suspiria de Profundis and the works of the Brothers Grimm.
Argento's film is not without its critics, some of whom find the narrative lacking in coherence and depth. However, Suspiria is less about a linear story and more about the experience it offers. It is a film that revels in its own excesses, embracing the surreal and the grotesque to create a unique cinematic experience. The film's murder sequences are particularly notable, choreographed with a macabre beauty that is both shocking and mesmerising.
The performances in Suspiria are equally compelling, with Jessica Harper delivering a standout performance as Susie. Her portrayal of a young woman caught in a web of supernatural intrigue is both vulnerable and resilient, capturing the essence of a character who must confront her fears to survive. The supporting cast, including Stefania Casini and Flavio Bucci, add depth to the film's ensemble, each contributing to the film's unsettling atmosphere.
Suspiria is a film that has left an indelible mark on the horror genre, influencing countless filmmakers and captivating audiences with its bold and visionary approach. It is a film that demands to be seen on the big screen, where its visual and auditory elements can be fully appreciated, and where it can be seen as a film that has been made to be seen in the eyes of the audience. For those willing to embrace its eccentricities, Suspiria offers a cinematic experience that is both terrifying and beautiful, a testament to Argento's genius and a cornerstone of horror cinema. That brings us to the end of my review of Suspiria, and I'm giving it 4 stars out of a possible 5
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