Suspiria (2018)
The original blew me away with its unique colorful look, fantastic score and unprecedented atmosphere. I knew that while this was a remake of sorts following partially the same narrative, it would still be a very different film. I have tried not to compare them too much, because this is very much its own thing, yet it would also not have worked if it had a different title and didn’t acknowledge that it was a remake of the 1977 film.
I was sucked in quite quickly with this one with its style and editing. It is clear from the very start that this is doing things differently. A camera that is an active presence in every scene, some very fast cuts and odd choice of editing, which I immediately liked. I normally prefer static camera, long takes and few cuts (this one also has some great longer takes), so it is very satisfying to see a film that goes contrary to my normal taste and I still end up loving it.
But that was just the start, because as the film progressed I got more and more confused. It really is a film that needs processing and open to plenty of interpretation. Like what purpose did the inclusion of the RAF terrorist attacks signify for the crazyness that happens inside the dance school? What symbolism is buried inside all the body horror? I didn’t really see it is a horror film, even though there are plenty of of absolutely horrifying scenes - it didn’t put me in that state of uneasiness that psychological horror usually does. It isn’t the cool looking stylized horror from the 1977 original either. It is drenched in symbolism of motherhood, abuse of power and guilt. At least that is what I can read on Wikipedia, but analytical interpretations rarely interests me that much. This is very much a film for the senses and one of the few films were I just sat through the entire credits trying to process what the hell I just witnessed.
My rating is practically meaningless as in some ways I didn’t actually liked it as much as I did with the original. This one is much less approachable and frustrating to process, but at the same time - I also love and admire films that can do just that.
Rating: 4