Review of Suspiria (1977) by Victor T — 21 Jul 2016

Throughout the history of the horror genre, there have been many filmmakers that have been hailed as masters of horror (despite the fact that most of them don't even deserve that title), but I would argue that Italian director Dario Argento (considered the best director of the giallo movement) is one of the people that earned the title, and what better example of this statement than his most known work "Suspiria".

Suzy Bannion, an American ballet student, arrives on a plane in Munich, Germany, to enroll in the prestigious Tanz Dance Academy in Freiburg. But after her arrival a series of violent and bizarre events begins, thus making Suzy doubt that the Academy is all that people say it is.

In recent years the first instalment of the 'Three Mothers Trilogy' is either hailed or labeled 'overrated' by impatient gorehounds that prefer a modern esthetic, but if I have to pick a side I won´t hesitate and join the people that give Dario Argento´s most known film the credit and praise it unquestionably deserves. When you first witness "Suspiria" it comes off as a B movie (as almost every horror film) as the acting is either bland or hammy, the special effects are painfully obvious/dated, a story that doesn't make a whole lot of sense, the characters lack personality and are quite forgettable, a barely adequately written script, and it has a handful of unintentional funny comedy. But the reason that this film has earned its place in horror history is due to its director, as the set design is beyond gorgeous (I challenge you to find a filmmaker that's able to make an eye candy horror film), the Goblin score is so chilling and unforgettable that it is at the same level of some horror classics (the score is easily half of this movie´s appeal), the use of Technicolor is just so gorgeous that it gives some personality to the setting of the film, the way Argento crafts suspense is mostly unnerving (it could be argue that it is a blueprint of "The Shinning" level of suspense building), a surprisingly wise lighting (which is a pleasant surprise for a non-black & white film), a well use of gore that makes the scenes it's in unforgettable, it doesn't overstays its welcome as its pacing knows where to stop for buildup and when it's time for the payoff, a chilling ending that granted it goes to unintentional comedic territory but still manages to be haunting, and Dario´s direction is wildly creative with his unconventional camera placement that manages to give every scene a creepy atmosphere (even if in that scene nothing particularly scary happens, it still puts you on the edge anticipating an unexpected scare) and overcome the obvious low production values. The main problem with this film is ironically Argento himself, as he lets the artistic ideas overwhelm more than a handful of scenes (more than once you will be paying more attention to the Goblin score and the Technicolor style than what is actually going on).

"Suspiria" is a gorgeous, unforgettable, creepy and overall fun to watch horror film that may not be for your liking due to its low budget nature and its numerous B movie qualities, but still manages to be suspenseful and frightening. One of Argento´s best works (arguably his best) and a must see for any horror fan. You may not like it but it is still far from 'overrated'.