Just Dance

By Tom Pacak

When “Suspiria” the remake of the 1977 Italian horror film was released at the Venice Film Festival, it was meet with very polarizing responses. Some people loved it and some people hated it. When you look on Rotten Tomatoes, you’ll see a streak of positive responses with 4-star reviews and then a streak of reviews with a 1-star rating. There was no between responses. I fall under the loved it category! In fact, I prefer Luca Guadagnino’s vision of the film a lot better than Dario Argento’s original film. I have nothing against Dario Argento’s “Suspiria.” I think it’s very good for its time and still has some pretty good scares. I also like the use of colors the original had, which gave the film a somewhat campy vibe. In Luca’s version, cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom (Call Me By Your Name) uses bland colors to show how depressing times were during the Berlin Wall. The remake, however, goes into uncharted territory and tries to be something different (which most remakes lack). It's funny, scary, entertaining, and most importantly engaging. 

Set in 1977, Susie Bannion (Dakota Johnson), is an ambitious American from Ohio (HEY!) who’s accepted to the Markos Dance Academy in West Berlin. Susie is clearly someone who wants to succeed in her craft. She takes the lead role in the academy’s main dance after the previous leader accuses the Academy of witchcraft and disappears.  The academy Susie attends is known for being a prestigious school for dancing. It’s also reeling from the mysterious disappearance of one of its dancers, Patricia (Chloe Grace Moretz). Before her disappearance, Patricia confessed to her doctor Josef Klemperer (Lutz Ebersdorf) that the academy was secretly a society that hosts witches.

The film then focuses on Josef and Susie trying to discover the secret the academy is hiding. He looks through the journals Patricia gave him and even tries to ask Sara (Mia Goth), a dancer in the academy who also is suspicious about it. Josef takes this mission on because he believes it’s his way of redemption after his wife disappeared during a security checkpoint in West Berlin. 

This is where the film does something completely different from the original. What that film lacks that the 2018 version has is character development. Luca’s version really explores the characters and their motivations during the late 1970s. The 1977 version was still a mystery with a slasher flick kind of vibe. You rarely got to see the character development of the witches and protagonists in the original. While in Luca’s version, he gives the villains and protagonists depth that adds to this unique story. I have to praise the rare and phenomenal talent that is Tilda Swinton. Here, she manages to play three roles, one that I won’t go into detail because it’s a spoiler. She plays Madame Blanc, one of the witches with a good side to her and Josef Klemperer. Yes, Tilda Swinton is Lutz Ebersdorf. How unique is that? This trick that Luca and Tilda played out is just further proof that they’re the best in their respected crafts.

Even though I am a huge fan of the 2018 “Suspiria,” this is definitely not a film for everyone, especially the faint of heart. I have different tastes in movies than most people. People who usually don’t watch movies will say it’s too long and the gory ending is too gory. I had no problem with the film’s running time. I was constantly engaged with the film’s story and the direction it was going. I always give props to directors who are willing to go into uncharted territory and make a piece of art that will be hated by some and loved by some. If you didn’t like it, talk about it. If you liked it, talk about it. It’s rare when movies get a love it or hate it response. This is what movies were made for, to discuss what you liked and didn't like about them. 

Note: Now Playing in Theaters

Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars