How Suspiria redefined horror with surreal visuals and haunting music
Set against a backdrop of horrific murders, an American newcomer at a prestigious German dance academy uncovers a sinister secret lurking within the institution. Suspiria is a 1977 Italian supernatural horror film directed by Dario Argento, co-written with Daria Nicolodi, and partially inspired by Thomas De Quincey’s 1845 essay Suspiria de Profundis. The story follows Jessica Harper as an American ballet student who enrolls in a renowned German dance school, only to discover—amidst a string of gruesome deaths—that the academy conceals a supernatural plot. The cast includes Stefania Casini, Flavio Bucci, Miguel Bosé, Alida Valli, Udo Kier, and Joan Bennett in her final film role. The movie is the first entry in Argento’s Three Mothers trilogy, followed by Inferno (1980) and The Mother of Tears (2007).
Suspiria stands as Argento’s most commercially successful film, celebrated for its striking visuals, vivid color palette, and a haunting score by Argento and the progressive rock band Goblin. The film earned two Saturn Award nominations: Best Supporting Actress for Bennett in 1978 and Best DVD Classic Film Release in 2002. It has since achieved cult status and is considered a landmark in horror cinema, later inspiring Luca Guadagnino’s 2018 reinterpretation of the same name.
Suspiria By Dario Argento (1977) Movie Trailer
Images from the movie Suspiria (1977) by Dario Argento
