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Written by David Kajganich
Directed by Luca Guadagnino
Susie: "Why is everyone so ready to think the worst is over?"
About two years ago, I watched the 1977 version of this particular movie and I've been meaning to catch up with this remake. Watching the latest season of a certain show motivated me into seeking this out.
Luca Guadagnino as a director was coming off the success of Call Me By Your Name and this was an interesting follow up choice to make. The original movie is a highly regarded horror classic. Could Guadagnino at least compliment that with his own interpretation? He certainly gave it a good try.
The focus was on American dance student, Susanna "Susie" Bannion (Dakota Johnson). She had headed over to Berlin to join a dance academy where her dance moves had quite the effect on fellow classmate, Olga (Elena Fokina). Let's just say that things don't go very well for Olga following that particular moment.
In fact, things at that academy seemed to be quite sinister and it led to both Susie and Sara (Mia Goth) to investigating things. There's also another student in Patricia (Chloe Grace Moretz) who's given some needed focus and then there's Tilda Swinton herself.
She's been a long time collaborator of Luca Guadagnino and with this movie he awarded her three roles. Tilda got to play Madame Blanc, Mother Helena Markos and Dr. Josef Klemperer respectively. She certainly played all three roles with aplomb and did a brilliant job in making each of them stand out as well.
Of course, the most dynamic performance throughout the film turned out to be Dakota Johnson herself. Mostly when this film got to the Mother Suspiriorum part of things and her final scene with Klemperer. By far the best moments in this whole affair.
- There's a lot of the film dedicated to a Nazi Germany but it's relevant enough for certain characters.
- Jessica Harper, who was the protagonist of the original made a cameo appearance in this one.
- Standout music: Chloe Grace Moretz's Fairest Of The Season.
- Chronology: 1977 Berlin.
Suspiria (1977) doesn't quite hit the same craziness as it's 1977 counterpart but it's a damn great attempt nonetheless. There's some truly brilliant central performance from both Dakota Johnson and Tilda Swinton alike.
Rating: 7 out of 10
