In the unsettling world of 1970s Berlin, the 2018 film “Suspiria” follows the eerie journey of Susie Bannion (Dakota Johnson), an ambitious young American dancer who joins the renowned Markos Dance Academy. However, as Susie becomes entwined in the school’s mysterious and sinister happenings, she discovers a dark and malevolent force beneath the surface of the prestigious dance academy.
As Susie delves deeper into the world of the academy, she becomes the protege of Madame Blanc (Tilda Swinton), an enigmatic dance instructor who is both captivating and unsettling. Susie’s abilities rapidly improve with each dance lesson, but she remains oblivious to the dark rituals and hidden agendas surrounding her.
Meanwhile, Patricia Hingle (Chloë Grace Moretz), a troubled and paranoid student, seeks refuge at a psychotherapist, Dr. Jozef Klemperer (also portrayed by Tilda Swinton), recounting her suspicions about the academy’s witches and their sinister practices. Driven by a personal connection to Patricia’s story and haunted by memories of the Holocaust, Dr. Klemperer becomes entangled in the sinister web of the dance academy, desperate to uncover the truth.
As the film unfolds, a series of mysterious and gruesome deaths befall students at the academy, intensifying fear and suspicion. Susie’s friendship with another dancer, Sara Simms (Mia Goth), deepens as they both grow increasingly suspicious of the academy’s darker side.
Susie’s true purpose is revealed as the coven’s dark intentions become evident. She is an essential piece of a diabolical plan, leading to a gripping confrontation that will determine the fate of the Markos Dance Academy and its malevolent forces. In a climactic and harrowing climax, the veil is lifted, and Susie must confront the horrifying truth and make a life-altering decision.
“Suspiria” is a visually gripping and psychologically chilling horror film, weaving together power, identity, and sacrifice themes. Director Luca Guadagnino pays homage to Dario Argento’s 1977 original while offering a thought-provoking reimagining of the classic tale of witchcraft and terror. With its haunting score by Thom Yorke, “Suspiria” questions the thin line between beauty and horror and the dark depths of human nature.
The Other Cinema 