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Remakes are a tricky business. That is why Luca Guadagnino’s SUSPIRIA is one of the most strangely unique and daring.
In 1977’s divided Berlin where farm girl Susie Bannion (Dakota Johnson) has enrolled into the prestigious Markos Dance Academy. After impressing the staff with her audition, it doesn’t take long for Susie to impress Madame Blanc (Tilda Swinton) and become the new star student. But things aren’t as they seem in this dance school. Little does Susie know that it’s run by a coven of witches with ties to the legendary Three Mothers.
Image Courtesy of Amazon Studios and K Period Media.
First to address the elephant in the room. Guadagnino’s film is not a traditional remake. Since it was first announced that Dario Argento’s SUSPIRIA was up for a redo, the fan out cry was mbadive. The 1977 original is an art house horror masterpiece. Guadagnino’s version is indeed a different animal. The story has the barest of threads to Argento’s movie. If anything its closer in tone to Japanese horror movies like Hideo Nakata’s RINGU and Ataru Oikawa’s TOMIE.
Instead of the vivid primary colors of Argento’s version, Guadagnino and company make a grey and snow filled cold war thriller. The coven of witches is also divided. Their sect is dying off and it seems like the whole world is going to end. The screenplay by David Kajganich mixes these anxieties with the power of motherhood. Instead of purely evil witches, we see a bound between Blanc and Susie.
With these huge changes in mind, SUSPIRIA works. After seeing the movie two times, I can finally grasp all the layers of mood and terror. It’s two-and-a-half-hour runtime balances all these elements without becoming overstuffed. Thom Yorke of Radiohead fame composes the haunting new score. The best track on the soundtrack being “Volk”. The movie’s biggest sin is not being scary. But other than this short coming Guadagnino’s vison is one of the year’s best.
Image Courtesy of Amazon Studios and K Period Media.
In terms of the cast Dakota Johnson proves herself as a thrilling actress. She hasn’t been given a fair shake thanks to her role in the 50 SHADES series. Johnson shows an icy stare while still being an innocent angel. Part of the film’s mastery of mood comes from her mysterious intentions. Tilda Swinton takes center stage in three roles. Her most impressive role is that of Dr Josef Klemperer, who is billed to a “actor” named Lutz Ebersdorf. With Josef, Miss Swinton proves she is a true chameleon. As the lead dancer teacher, Miss Blanc is a force of nature with a cold understated look.
The supporting cast is packed with international female power. Angela Winkler, Ingrid Caven, and Renee Soutendijk play of the instructors. Each bring a history to their character. It’s just fun to see them cackle and enjoy their witch roles. In terms of the dancers, the standout is Mia Goth is the most soulful and tragic of the bunch.
SUSPIRIA is a challenging and at times alienating experience. Guadagnino and crew serve up one of the most haunting and icy art films of 2018. It may be polarizing but it’s a trip well worth taking. Hopefully Award season will keep an eye out for this one.
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