Directed by
Luca Guadagnino
Made by
Amazon Studios
The film unfolds against the backdrop of 1970s West Berlin during a tumultuous period known as the German Autumn, where real-world events such as the hijacking of an airplane by the PLAF and the imprisonment of RAF members serve as a chilling context. It begins with a frantic teenage girl named Patricia, portrayed by Chloë Grace Moretz, as she races through the streets to her psychologist’s office. There she meets Dr. Klemperer, an elderly physician played by Tilda Swinton under the pseudonym Lutz Ebersdorf. Patricia brings forth disturbing allegations that the instructors at her dance academy are witches intent on hijacking her body. Skeptical, Dr. Klemperer listens but is left astonished as Patricia bolts from his office, inadvertently leaving behind her bag of personal belongings.
Meanwhile, American ballerina Susie Bannion, brought to life by Dakota Johnson, arrives in Berlin fresh off a train. Intent on pursuing her passions, Susie makes her way to the dance academy, eager to audition after receiving an invitation from the esteemed dancer Madame Blanc. During her audition, Susie captivates the room with her raw talent; unbeknownst to her, Madame Blanc can feel her remarkable presence from a distance, appearing almost to teleport into the audition space to observe. With Patricia’s untimely departure from the academy, Susie is promptly admitted, a decision that sets in motion a series of haunting events.
That evening, as the instructors convene, it is revealed that they are not merely teachers but a coven of witches. In a chilling vote, they discuss replacing their ailing leader, Mother Markos, who is absent due to her failing health. It becomes evident that they intend to continue the sinister rituals initiated with Patricia by finding a new vessel—Susie. In the midst of this darkness, Susie meets fellow dancer Sara, played by Mia Goth, who aids her in settling into the academy. As Susie becomes more intertwined in their web, she is told of Patricia’s supposed alliance with radical revolutionaries.
As the plot unfolds, the tension escalates when Susie’s dancing inadvertently causes the disfigurement of another student, Olga, who is then brutally disposed of by the coven. Dr. Klemperer, suspecting something deeper at play, begins reading Patricia’s diary, unveiling her theories of the school’s instructors as witches and discovering their links to ancient, malevolent forces—three witches known as Mother Lachrymarum, Mother Tenebrarum, and Mother Suspiriorum. His skepticism begins to wane as incidents around him increase in strangeness and horror.
While Sara and Susie investigate the dark secrets of the academy, they grow closer. However, Sara’s curiosity leads her to confront terrifying truths and ultimately discover disturbing remnants of their fellow students, including the tormented souls of Patricia and Olga. Dr. Klemperer’s desperate attempts to extricate himself from the witches’ grasp culminate in chilling stakes as the coven intensifies its ritualistic pursuits.
As the climax approaches, Susie’s fate intertwines with that of Madame Blanc who seems both a mentor and an enigma, fostering a bond that is laden with the weight of ancient powers. During an ominous recital, each character’s hidden truths and the full extent of the witches’ plans unfold in a harrowing display. Susie’s enlightening revelation leads to visceral confrontations with Mother Markos, ultimately revealing her true identity as Mother Suspiriorum herself.
In an explosive resolution, Susie reclaims her agency, summoning forth Death to exact retribution on the coven that sought to manipulate her. As horrors unfold within the catacombs, Susie shows compassion to those trapped in torment, marking a grim but definitive end to the witches’ reign. In a poignant denouement, Susie visits the ailing Dr. Klemperer, revealing the tragic fate of his wife—her narrative serving as a haunting reminder of sacrifice amidst horror.
By dawn, the remnants of the previous night’s ordeal fade into eerie normalcy, setting the stage for Susie’s haunting legacy as the new leader of the coven. As she stands before Dr. Klemperer one last time, she assures him of the love that persisted even in anguish, before the credits roll, and we glimpse Susie, now imbued with formidable power, smiling enigmatically as she stares off into the unknown.
Patricia's Disturbing Allegations
The film opens with Patricia, a frantic teenage girl, rushing to her psychologist's office in West Berlin. She brings forth allegations that the instructors at her dance academy are witches attempting to hijack her body, leaving Dr. Klemperer astounded as she flees without her belongings.
Susie's Arrival in Berlin
American ballerina Susie Bannion arrives in Berlin, excited and determined to pursue her dreams of dancing. She heads straight to the dance academy after receiving an invitation from the esteemed Madame Blanc, eager to prove her talent.
The Audition
Susie's audition for the dance academy is a pivotal moment where she captivates the judges with her raw talent. This impresses Madame Blanc, who seems to appear from thin air to observe Susie's performance, sealing her fate at the academy.
The Coven's Secret
That evening, the dance instructors meet and reveal themselves as a coven of witches. They discuss the need to replace their ailing leader, Mother Markos, hinting at their sinister plans that involve Susie becoming the new vessel for their dark rituals.
The Bond with Sara
Susie begins to bond with fellow dancer Sara as they navigate life at the academy. Sara provides support and insight into the strange happenings around them, deepening Susie's connection to the academy and the web of witchcraft surrounding it.
Patricia's Fate
As the narrative unfolds, Patricia's connection to radical revolutionaries becomes a chilling subplot. Her fate intertwines with the academy's dark rituals, leaving Susie in a precarious position as she is drawn into the coven's ominous plans.
Susie's Dark Influence
An incident occurs when Susie's dancing inadvertently disfigures another student, Olga, who is then brutally disposed of by the coven. This horrifying event sets off a cascade of tensions, as Dr. Klemperer starts to investigate the dark legacy of the academy.
Dr. Klemperer's Investigation
Dr. Klemperer, disturbed by the recent events, begins reading Patricia's diary. His investigation reveals her theories that the instructors are witches linked to ancient, malevolent forces, causing him to question his initial skepticism as strangeness envelops him.
Sara's Discovery
Sara's curiosity drives her to uncover the dark secrets of the academy. She discovers remnants of their fellow students, including the tortured souls of Patricia and Olga, deepening the horror of what lies beneath their artistic facade.
Confrontation with Madame Blanc
The relationship between Susie and Madame Blanc deepens, revealing complexities as Susie grows closer to her mentor. During an ominous recital, Susie comes to devastating realizations about the witches' true intentions and her own emerging powers.
The Climactic Showdown
As events escalate, Susie's fate collides with that of Mother Markos during the coven's final ritual. In a confrontation filled with revelations, Susie discovers her true identity as Mother Suspiriorum, taking her place in the dark legacy.
Retribution Against the Coven
In a climactic moment, Susie takes command over the powers bestowed upon her, summoning Death to exact vengeance on the coven. A horrific confrontation ensues, liberating the many tormented souls trapped by the witches.
The Aftermath
As dawn breaks after the harrowing events, the academy returns to a haunting sense of normalcy. Susie, now carrying significant power, emerges as the new leader of the coven, but not without bearing the weight of her experiences and sacrifices.
Final Meeting with Dr. Klemperer
In a poignant moment, Susie visits the ailing Dr. Klemperer to reveal the tragic fate of his wife. This encounter serves as a haunting reminder of love and loss amidst the darkness, linking their fates in an unforgettable way.
Legacy of Susie
The film concludes with Susie embracing her powerful legacy, gazing enigmatically into the unknown. Her transition from a naive dancer to a formidable leader encapsulates the thematic depth of sacrifice and the haunting nature of her journey.
Dr. Klemperer (Tilda Swinton)
Dr. Klemperer serves as a skeptical yet pivotal figure, embodying the rational perspective amidst the chaos of the witches' activities. His character evolves in response to the increasing strangeness surrounding him, leading him to confront unsettling truths that challenge his understanding of reality.
Susie Bannion (Dakota Johnson)
Susie is an ambitious and gifted ballerina whose journey into the depths of the dance academy reveals her latent power. As she grapples with the coven's dark intentions, she emerges as a complex character torn between vulnerability and a growing sense of agency, ultimately transforming into a formidable force.
Patricia (Chloë Grace Moretz)
Patricia, the frantic teenager, initiates the narrative's exploration of horror with her harrowing experiences at the academy. Her descent into madness and her attempt to warn Klemperer highlight the theme of desperation and the dire consequences of the witches' insidious nature.
Sara (Mia Goth)
Sara embodies both curiosity and trepidation within the enigmatic environment of the dance academy. As she forms a bond with Susie, her character becomes a catalyst for uncovering the academy's terrifying truths, ultimately sealing her fate in the pursuit of knowledge.
Time period
1970s
The 1970s were a tumultuous period in West Germany, defined by extreme political activism, domestic terrorism, and social upheaval. This era, particularly known for incidents like the hijacking by the PLAF and the actions of the Red Army Faction, contributed to a tense atmosphere that amplified the film's central themes of fear and paranoia.
Location
West Berlin
West Berlin during the 1970s serves as a politically charged backdrop for the film, characterized by the socio-political unrest known as the German Autumn. The city was a cultural melting pot, marked by divided allegiances and turbulent ideologies, with the influences of modernity clashing against the remnants of historical strife.
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Witchcraft
The theme of witchcraft is central to 'Suspiria', reflecting both literal and metaphorical elements of power and manipulation. The film explores how the coven's ancient practices intertwine with the characters' fates, showcasing the sinister allure of power and the dangers it poses to individual agency and autonomy.
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Sacrifice
Sacrifice plays a poignant role in the narrative, revealing the tragic costs of ambition and desire. Characters endure profound losses and make grave choices, often as a means to navigate the treacherous dynamics within the dance academy, illuminated by Susie's ultimate transformation and the burden of power she inherits.
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Sisterhood
Sisterhood emerges as a complex theme throughout the film, colored by trust, betrayal, and the bonds shared among the dancers. While the relationship between Susie and Sara showcases the potential for solidarity and strength, the darker aspects reveal how these connections can be exploited by malevolent forces.
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