Hi everyone!
We’re back with another Fantastic Fest feature from Andrew Campbell, who has been lining them up and knocking them down every Friday in 2019. Today’s remake is a sharp shift away from his last review for “Mid90s” (Episode #411), but nothing Fantastic Fest fans can’t handle, right? Be sure to check out Andrew’s other recent reviews for “Terrified” (Episode #404), “Sleep Tight” (Episode #397), and “Beautiful Boy” (Episode #395). You can also use #FantasticFest or search on the Fantastic Fest blog tag at onemoviepunch.com.
Take it away, Andrew! But take it away with a highly artistic interpretive dance...
/////
Hello, Film Fans!
Andrew here, back this week with a film that made its North American debut by way of a Secret Screening at the 2018 Fantastic Fest. What is a Secret Screening? Well, it’s exactly like it sounds. You sign up, show up, take your seat, and wait for the MC to walk in and surprise you with what you’ll be watching... sort of. As the festival has grown, Secret Screenings have become a little less common (with just the one in 2018) and are now generally higher profile films that are slated for theatrical release in the late Fall. With so many industry insiders, critics and film geeks in one place, the rumor mill is in high gear and, in the case of this screening, the audience was not surprised, though most were relieved and excited for what we were about to see.
Link: https://letterboxd.com/popmortem/list/all-fantastic-fest-secret-screenings-throughout/
Over the last 13 years, the fest has held 35 of these Secret Screenings, ranging from M. Night Shyamalan’s return-to-form with “Split” in 2015, the world premiere of “There Will Be Blood” in 2007, to underwhelming films like “Paranormal Activity 3” and the Wachowskis’ disappointing “Cloud Atlas”. Now what would 2018 have in store for us...
Today’s movie is “Suspiria” (2018), the surreal horror remake of Dario Argento’s 1977 film of the same name. “Suspiria” is director Luca Guadagnino’s unlikely follow up to his best-picture-nominated “Call Me By Your Name” from 2017. Just like that film’s setting in the gorgeous Italian countryside of the early 1980s, “Suspiria” is another European period piece with equally stunning, albeit far darker surroundings – oppressive Berlin circa 1977. The story follows Susie Bannion (Dakota Johnson), an earnest young woman from Ohio who has traveled to Germany to audition for a prestigious modern dance troupe. What follows is two and a half hours of moody atmosphere and surreal events that are difficult to delve into without a light spoiler that bridges this film with the original work. If you want to view the film completely unsullied, now’s your chance.
Still with me? Good; I promise this part won’t ruin your viewing experience. The original “Suspiria” was a full hour shorter and climaxed with the revelation that the group of women that run the dance academy are, in fact, witches. The remake reveals this fact very early in the film and in a matter-of-fact manner because this version of “Suspiria” is not about a clever twist. The film has two secondary protagonists, both portrayed by the chameleon Tilda Swinton, seemingly just because she’s that amazing an actress and not for any discernible plot device. Madame Blanc is the academy’s lead instructor and a far more nuanced role than in the original film. As Josef Klemperer, Swinton portrays a new character, a psychiatrist dealing with the ghosts of his past who suspects the school harbors a dark secret.
Reviews of “Suspiria” have been mixed, albeit mostly positive. There is so much going on with this film when you consider its history, cast, visuals, soundtrack, plot and subtext that make it difficult to assess. When I saw this film on the big screen, I absolutely loved everything about it, hardly noticing the lengthy runtime, and this was likely due in part to being swept up by the Secret Screening excitement. Upon re-watching it, my admiration has cooled a bit, but there are a couple components of this film that remain memorable. The visual style of this film is striking and there are several scenes that take place within the walls of the academy that are brilliantly directed, including one earlier on in the film that may be the most artistically horrific scene in any recent film. You’ll know it when you see it. Secondly, whether you’re a Radiohead fan or not, the 80-plus minute Thom Yorke soundtrack perfectly embodies the story, and the film would be far less memorable without it. The standout tracks are the few that feature his vocals, especially “Suspirium” and “Unmade”.
Where this movie ultimately struggles is with its duration. The film is driven by its music and visuals, but the plot lulls in the middle before a satisfying conclusion. It’s an amazing work, but one that requires your full attention. Afterwards, you’ll feel compelled to read detailed analyses on its meaning and I recommend not watching it alone as you’ll want to discuss the film as you decompress. It’s amazing that this film exists with a $20M budget and an uncompromising vision that ultimately led to box office disappointment, with just $2M domestic and a $7M worldwide total. Whatever your opinion of the film, you won’t regret watching it.
“Suspiria” (2018) is a reimagining of a classic 1970s giallo picture that tells the story it wants to tell with no attempt to be commercially appealing. Fans of visionary, polarizing psychological horror films such as Darren Aranofsky’s “mother!” or his earlier work (and the more obvious comparison) “Black Swan” will enjoy this film.
Rotten Tomatoes: 65%
Metacritic: 64
One Movie Punch: 7.2/10
“Suspiria” (2018) is rated R and is available on VOD and DVD. Follow us on Twitter @onemoviepunch and we’ll let you know when “Suspiria” or any of the other films we cover hit a major streaming service.
Come back next week when I’ll be reviewing “Anna and the Apocalypse”, the Scottish zombie musical that I promise you will become a cult classic. Get ready for some insanely catchy tunes, a few young stars in the making and just the right amount of comedic bloodletting. See you next Friday.
