Suspiria (1977) - Film Review [Scare Fest 2023]

Giallo is a subgenre of horror that I have always found interesting. The way vibrant colors and smooth camerawork is used to juxtapose the dark and evil horror going on at the centre of the films. Dario Argento is probably the most prominent name in the sub-genre as he really made it his own in a way. He was very experimental with the form and that led to his success and popularity. Suspiria is probably the most popular in his filmography.

Suspiria follows a promising dancer who decides to go to Berlin to train at an elite dance studio. She soon realizes that there’s more going on below the surface. That’s all i’m going to say because anything else would be going into spoiler territory and this film is better experienced knowing less. Suspiria follows the dynamic trends of the sub-genre as it’s a murder mystery tale with touches of horror and some bright beautiful cinematography. This film is mostly known for how good it looks. The cinematography is top notch in this film and the use of colors only adds to the overall beauty of the film.

Jessica Harper in the lead role is also quite a good decision as she gives it her all and probably gives the best performance in Argento’s filmography. We watch as she tries to climb the ladder of this dance studio but doesn’t like what she sees and hears as she goes up the ranks. Her exaggerated expressions match the bold style of the film and her character ties quite nicely into the twist of the film.

This film is also known for a fantastic score by the band Goblin who ended up being a collaborator with Argento throughout his career. The use of psychedelic rock in this film only strengthens the vibe and the mood the film is putting forward. The dreaminess of the music matches the dream like qualities of the visuals quite well.

Suspiria is the film I would recommend to those wanting to get into Giallo films. It’s the easiest to digest and it gives the audience a feel for what the style is going for as a whole. Suspiria is a film that works mostly off feelings and emotions while also providing a story that is easy to follow for many. I still prefer the remake over this one, but Suspiria has etched itself into the horror history books for good reasons.

The Rating