Italian maestro Dario Argento directed this supernatural horror film, which he co-wrote with Daria Nicolodi, loosely based on Thomas De Quincey’s 1845 essay “Suspiria de Profundis.”
The film is the first of the trilogy Argento refers to as The Three Mothers, which also comprises Inferno (1980) and The Mother of Tears (2007).
Suspiria
Theatrical release poster
Grade: A- (**** out of *****)
Jessica Harper stars as an American ballet student who transfers to a prestigious dance academy, only to realize, after a series of murders, that the academy is a front for a coven of witches.
It also features Stefania Casini, Flavio Bucci, Miguel Bosé, Alida Valli, Udo Kier, and Joan Bennett (in her final film role).
Some critics have described Argento’s garish thriller as a giallo film gone psychedelic.
While the nominal story is thin, and the characters narrowly-defined, back in the 1979s, the matriarchal premise was ahead of its time.
Critical Status:
Suspiria is noted for its visual and stylistic flair, use of vibrant colors, and score by Argento and the rock band Goblin.
One of the most influential horror films, Suspiria has served as the inspiration for Luca Guadagnino’ s 2018 remake (which was a disappointment).
Suspiria (1977): Dario Argento’s Supernatural Horror Film, Starring Jessica Harper
From Our Vaults
Italian maestro Dario Argento directed this supernatural horror film, which he co-wrote with Daria Nicolodi, loosely based on Thomas De Quincey’s 1845 essay “Suspiria de Profundis.”
Photo : ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
The film is the first of the trilogy Argento refers to as The Three Mothers, which also comprises Inferno (1980) and The Mother of Tears (2007).
Grade: A- (**** out of *****)
Jessica Harper stars as an American ballet student who transfers to a prestigious dance academy, only to realize, after a series of murders, that the academy is a front for a coven of witches.
It also features Stefania Casini, Flavio Bucci, Miguel Bosé, Alida Valli, Udo Kier, and Joan Bennett (in her final film role).
Some critics have described Argento’s garish thriller as a giallo film gone psychedelic.
While the nominal story is thin, and the characters narrowly-defined, back in the 1979s, the matriarchal premise was ahead of its time.
Critical Status:
Suspiria is noted for its visual and stylistic flair, use of vibrant colors, and score by Argento and the rock band Goblin.
One of the most influential horror films, Suspiria has served as the inspiration for Luca Guadagnino’ s 2018 remake (which was a disappointment).