Film Review: SUSPIRIA

WDCB’s Gary Zidek reviews Luca Guadagnino’s SUSPIRIA.

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WDCB's Gary Zidek reviews the new SUSPIRIA.

Academy Award-nominated director Luca Guadagnino offers his take on the 1977 cult horror film SUSPIRIA. Adding an hour to the runtime, Guadagnino introduces a lot of new ideas. Elements of religious persecution, political terrorism and motherhood are all touched on. The core story elements remain the same, set in 1977, an American dancer names Susie arrives at a prestigious and mysterious West Berlin dance company. Once she joins the Markos Dance Company, strange things begin to happen, most likely because the company is run by a coven of witches.

Tilda Swinton as Madame Blanc in SUSPIRIA

Dakota Johnson is magnetic as Susie. This version of the American dancer in a strange place requires more than the original. The choreography in the dance scenes is phenomenal. Tilda Swinton dazzles as usual in her portrayal of Madame Blanc, the head choreographer of the Markos Dance Company. Swinton also shows up as another main character, but I’ll let that be a surprise.

The ending in the new SUSPIRIA differs from the original culmination. It’s violent and a little confusing. Still, I think Guadagnino has created an effective homage to the original SUSPIRIA, while also forging a new path.

Like the original, this definitely won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. For those open to a little stylized horror, I recommend it with 3 out of 4 stars ***.

SUSPIRIA is playing at theaters nationwide.