Barbara Magnolfi, Eva Axen, Flavio Bucci

A newcomer to a fancy ballet academy gradually comes to realize that the staff of the school are actually a coven of witches bent on chaos and destruction.

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86% liked it

26,820 ratings

Critics

93% liked it

29 critics

R, 1 hr. 40 min.

Directed by: Dario Argento

Release Date: February 1, 1977

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DVD Release Date: September 11, 2001

Stats: 2,378 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,378)


  • September 7, 2009
    Wait, this is a horror film? Not a comedy of some sorts?
  • May 24, 2009
    atmospheric art/horror gorgeously shot in vivid colors with a fantastic score that makes it twice as creepy. possibly the best horror soundtrack ever. a bit dated with some uneven acting but well deserving of it's fame
  • February 27, 2009
    I expected more from Argento; the only bits of this movie I remember are the ones that were highlighted in a documentary on horror films.
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    I need to give this one another chance after reading what other respected horror fans have written about it.
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    Revised Viewing Feb 26, 2009:...( read more) 3 to 4.5

    Can't believe I was underwhelmed with this before and I think that's because it is very minimalistic on story. Minimalism in story is frustrating for me and makes it tough for me to sit through a first view. Next time around, once I already know the story and have my thirst for details quenched, I can better absorb the image and see its affect on the story and how that creates the film. In case of Suspiria, the image creates incredible tension and SUSPENSE.

    Argento really knows how to use his camera in this flick. I take back all the negative things I said about in in my Mother of Tears review (but am leaving those complaints up to frame my opinion on MoT). He uses his lighting incredibly well and every shot is framed so nicely. The colors are dazzling, powerful and can be, as a result, overwhelming.

    The other key killer here is the score. I have not been so creeped out by a score in such a long time, and this is also a shining moment for infamous Goblin.

    Pretty minimal on gore for an Argento, but the "creature/ghoul" pulled out at the end totally creeped me. The feeling of being within the witches' den is so perfectly captured here that countless films since have aimed for this very high goal.

    Cannot recommend this enough, though I do caution that if you are not floored the first time around, let it sit a few months and return to it.
  • February 3, 2009
    If it is true that Hitchcock's Psycho would have been less effective if it had been filmed in color then the opposite could be said for Dario Argento's Suspiria. It is the abnormally bright hues, especially the reds, that help give the entire picture a surreal sort...( read more) of feel and atmosphere.

    Released in 1977, it has lost some of its initial shock value. In fact, modern "gore-mongers" who enjoy graphic offerings like Saw and Hostel will no doubt find the violence soft-core and perhaps even a little comical. Still, Suspiria is an important, if not timeless, genre classic.
  • November 24, 2008
    Story one in his "Three Mothers" trilogy, there are some amazing visuals in this film.
    Argento has an impeccable eye for horror and is one of my favorite (horror)directors.
  • November 17, 2009
    Sometimes movies are perfect and this is definitely one of those cases. Argento's directing is flawless and he knows all the necessary factors to instill fear. The lighting is bizarre and matches the offbeat nature of the soundtrack. While I'm not a huge fan of dubbing, this is p...( read more)robably the best job of it that i've seen. Jessica Harper did a great job and had me rooting for her the entire time, her closing shot is amazing. The story is so suspenseful and well orchestrated, witches have never been dealt with this good of taste.
  • October 31, 2009
    My goodness what was this? This flick made me sometimes think about Kubrick's The Shining but never reached the same quality.
    It tells the story about a German dance academy which is haunted by a witch, who is the founder of the school. The scenery had many colours but sh...( read more)owed not many details. You could clearly see that the blood was some kind of red paint, that low was the quality of it. Apart from a few scares this horror flick has not much to offer.
    Avoid this crappy movie!
  • October 28, 2009
    Good film, I like the sets and color.
  • October 24, 2009
    Suspiria is definitely one of Dario's best films. It's certainly one of my favourite films! It just oozes style, with it's bold colours, OTT gore effects and that brilliant infamous Goblins soundtrack! It's a creepy, funny and surreal horror experience that is a must-see for any...( read more) horror fan.
  • October 18, 2009
    Dario Argento has many fans and some critics to support him . i dont belong to these , i m from the other side . but i must say that this man has his own cine view and that is great .

Critic Reviews


Comments


  • lovecyn4ever
    March 8, 2009
    Check out my quiz!
    Fulci's Zombie Pictures, Images and Photos

    Argento Vs Fulci
  • drblood
    October 14, 2007
    An overhyped pseudo-arty borefest. If you like scary horror films, you won't like this.
  • drtarrs26
    January 10, 2007
    For me is the best horror film ever made,strong atmospher and and unbelivable soundtrack by the goblins 6/5
  • dontdropthesoap84
    December 18, 2006
    The first murder scene is the scariest thing ever filmed.

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Suspiria Trivia


  • Which Dario Argento horror movie is widely considered as his most famous and features a ballet school governed by witches?  Answer »
  • What actress had a role in Suspiria and Minority Report?  Answer »
  • who played suzy banyon in suspiria  Answer »
  • The following tagline is from which 1977 horror film: "The Only Thing More Terrifying Than The Last 12 Minutes Of This Film Are The First 92."  Answer »

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