By Dario Argento’s Suspiria is one of the great Italian horror films. Released in 1977, it plays out like a colorful, strange, dreamlike supernatural fairy tale. I’ve never found it scary, but its visual style and bright color palate make it endlessly watchable. There’s also the score by Goblin, which is part prog rock, a little jazz, and, for this film in particular, eldritch atmospherics. Sadly Argento’s films aren’t what they used to be. See Dracula 3D. (Actually, don’t see it.)
Director Luca Guadagnino (A Bigger Splash) is currently at work on a Suspiria remake starring Dakota Johnson, Chloë Grace Moretz, and Tilda Swinton. News broke today that Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke will be composing the score to the film. While Yorke has contributed to soundtracks here and there and composed the music for a 2015 Broadway production of Harold Pinter’s Old Times, this will be Yorke’s first full solo film score. (Radiohead bandmate Jonny Greenwood has done several scores, notably for Paul Thomas Anderson’s recent films.)
While Suspiria is sacrosanct to many horror fans, I’m looking forward to this remake. Guadagnino’s filmmaking is strong, and he has a solid cast assembled. I wonder what Yorke’s score will wind up sounding like. Hopefully he does his own thing rather than try to repeat what Goblin’s done in the past.
What do you think? Are you excited about a Suspiria remake? Here’s some witchcraft to prompt discussion. First, Goblin’s theme for Suspiria. Then, “Burn the Witch” from Radiohead’s 2016 album A Moon Shaped Pool.
