How to Watch The Suspiria Franchise In Order
Dario Argento’s surreal Italian drama Suspiria is an all-time horror classic, combining surreal visuals, intense atmosphere, and nightmarish storytelling. Kickstarting Argento’s loosely-connected “Three Mothers Trilogy”, the film also received a 2018 remake that brought new life to the concept.
Here’s a guide to watching the Suspiria movies in order, from Argento’s classic to the modern reimagining. We also provide you with offers to stream these movies online in India.
The original Suspiria is widely regarded as a masterpiece of horror. Directed by Dario Argento, this visually stunning film is set at a prestigious ballet school in Germany. The story follows Suzy Bannion (Jessica Harper), an American dancer who transfers to the academy, only to uncover a series of grisly murders and dark supernatural forces at play.
What makes Suspiria so unique is its dreamlike atmosphere, heavily stylized cinematography, and the use of vivid color, especially the striking use of red and blue lighting. The score by prog-rock band Goblin adds to the sense of unease and dread throughout the film.
In 2018, Luca Guadagnino remade the 1977 classic, yet again titled Suspiria. This Amazon Prime Video original is not so much a direct remake of the 1977 film as it is a reimagining. While it shares the basic premise of a dancer named Susie Bannion (Dakota Johnson) joining a mysterious dance academy, the 2018 version is a more complex and grounded film. It delves deeper into the history of the witches and the dark rituals at the heart of the school. Tilda Swinton plays multiple roles, including Madame Blanc and the malevolent Helena Markos.
Guadagnino’s Suspiria is more subdued in its color palette than Argento’s vibrant original, but it’s no less visually striking. The film focuses more on psychological horror and has a slower pace, while also introducing themes of political unrest and personal identity. Thom Yorke of Radiohead composed the haunting score, which adds to the eerie, unsettling atmosphere.
The 2018 Suspiria is a standalone film that does not directly tie into Argento’s trilogy, instead serving as a reimagining of the original film’s concept. It can be watched on its own without prior knowledge of the earlier films, making it accessible to both new audiences and fans of the classic.
