Dario Argento's "Suspiria"
Movie review by Dennis D. McDonald
It is my understanding that this 1977 movie is considered by many to be a classic horror film. Perhaps at the time of its release it was deservedly viewed as unique and groundbreaking. Viewed from my current perspective, however, it is amateurish, poorly edited, poorly acted, and, for the most part, simply boring.
Granted, I’m not an expert on the horror genre, and I do admit that some aspects of this film, such as the color and the sets, are quite unique and impressive. But the impression I got from watching it was that the script and the instructions given to the quite variably talented cast were haphazard and made up as the shooting schedule progressed. The gore and the scenes intended to shock are poorly photographed, edited, and timed. As a result, they lose most, if not all, of their intended dramatic impact.
Having read many other reviews extolling this film’s virtues, I realize that my lack of devotion to the horror genre obviously colors my reaction. But if someone asks me to recommend something from the horror genre, I’m definitely going to recommend something else!
Review copyright (c) 2026 by Dennis D. McDonald
