‘Suspiria’ (2018) [Imprint] 4K UHD Blu-Ray Review – Luca Guadagnino’s Incredible New Take On A Classic

Inspired by Dario Argento’s 1977 Italian film of the same name, director Luca Guadagnino (Challengers) takes on the classic story in a terrifying reinvention starring Dakota Johnson (Fifty Shades Of Grey), Mia Goth (MaXXXine), Chloë Grace Moretz (Kick-Ass), and the legendary Tilda Swinton in three roles. A darkness swirls at the centre of a world-renowned dance company: one that will engulf the troupe’s artistic director, an ambitious young dancer, and a grieving psychotherapist. Some will succumb to the nightmare. Others will finally wake up. Featuring an incredible original score by Thom Yorke, the lead singer of Radiohead.

For thoughts on Suspiria (2018), please check out my thoughts on No Streaming Required:

Video Quality

Imprint Films presents Suspiria with a wonderful 2160p transfer in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio presented in 4K resolution and graded in HDR10. This label is based out of Australia, but both the 4K UHD and Blu-Ray discs in this set will play in all Blu-Ray players including those in the United States. The film has yet to be released on 4K UHD Blu-Ray domestically, and we do not have any previous international 4K UHD or Blu-Ray releases to use for comparison. The film was shot on 35mm and finished to a 4K Digital Intermediate, which means this presentation allows the film to be shown at its intended resolution. As with most Luca Guadagnino movies, this has a very distinct style that captures the haunting ethos of the narrative with great care. This is represented exceptionally on this 4K UHD disc. 

The degree of discrete detail and clarity on display is fantastic as the photography captures every unique bit of production design in the therapist’s office and the dance company, along with every ridge and rivet of the costumes. This likewise extends to more of the disgusting elements such as the makeup in the blood-soaked finale. The craft elements alone are a treat for the eyes, and this presentation represents them with great immediacy. This transfer displays nothing in the way of damage or unwanted digital anomalies such as compression artifacts, banding, or any other such nuisances. This world feels lived-in and three-dimensional thanks to the amazing depth of field. The disc always holds firm with its handling of contrast.

One of the standout aspects of the disc is the application of Dolby Vision for refined color output that takes this artfully crafted film and displays every distinct hue to its intended shade. This film takes a nearly opposite approach to how color is used in the narrative compared to the original film, yet every choice is precisely rendered to be as faithful as possible. The new master features some nuances within the lighting, production design, and clothing that harness a startling amount of depth. Thankfully, nothing is quite oversaturated or candy-colored, but the depth that is achieved is a process that simply cannot be matched by a lesser format. Black levels are deep with nothing in the way of crush present, and highlights show few signs of blooming outside of a few hot moments. This presentation is a great effort from the team at Imprint Films. 

Audio Quality

This 4K UHD Blu-Ray comes with a mighty Dolby Atmos track that captures this unsettling narrative with the precision you desire. There are also DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio and LPCM 2.0 options offered. The creepy and complex sound design is just as vital to the movie as the visuals, and this track brings it to life with impeccable skill. The film is replete with environmental effects that engage the surround and overhead speakers making you feel in the midst of the turmoil. The movie showcases some visceral moments that add weight to the low end.

The track has an intricate and keen sense of directionality with sounds always emanating from the appropriate channels. Dialogue comes through clearly in the front channel without being drowned out by any sound effects or the score. The magnificent Thom Yorke score sets the tone for this story which fills the speakers well. There are absolutely no issues with fidelity or damage to the track. This audio presentation is in top form thanks to Imprint Films. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided. 

Special Features

• Audio Commentary: Author and academic Miranda Corcoran provides a great commentary track in which she discusses how this film is in conversation with the original, the more overtly political angle of this adaptation, the thematic underpinnings, the work of the performers, and much more. 

• The Making Of Suspiria: A four-minute piece in which the cast and creative team give a broad overview of the film, the decision to return to this material, the performances, and more. 

• Suspiria – The Secret Language of Dance: A four-minute featurette that looks at the importance of choreography in the film. 

• The Look: A four-minute exploration of the production design, shooting locations, and more. 

• The Transformations of Suspiria: A nearly five-minute featurette about the makeup effects. 

• Trailers: This disc provides the Teaser Trailer (1:29) and the Theatrical Trailer (2:22)

• Cuts – Interview with Editor Walter Fasano: A new 41-minute interview with editor Walter Fasano in which he discusses the different Dario Argento remakes considered by Guadagnino, how the Suspiria remake evolved over the years, approaching Thom Yorke to compose the score, the shooting locations, editing the film during production, taking a year to fine-tune the movie, the difficulty of editing Olga’s death scene, subplots that were cut from the film, and more.

• Of Witches, Mothers and Death – Interview with Italian Film Critic Davide Pulici: A new 30-minute interview with the historian in which he analyzes the original film and its legacy, the troubled history of the remake, how Guadagnino’s interpretation took things in an entirely different direction, interpretations of the themes, and more. 

• Suspiria’s Three Fathers – Argento, Fassbinder, Guadagnino: A new 15-minute visual essay by author and film scholar Alexandra Heller-Nicholas in which she discusses the chain of influence between Dario Argento, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, and Luca Guadagnino. There are discussions about the presence of German history in the narrative, thematic connections, and more. 

• Thom Yorke’s Spells – The Music of Suspiria: A new 19-minute visual essay by film writer Phillip Jeffries that analyzes the Thom Yorke score, how it is deployed in the film, how it works in tandem with different scenes, influences on the music, and more. 

• Interviews: A collection of interviews is provided from a press junket in which the cast and creative team discuss their role in the film, the experience of making it, and more. 

• • Dakota Johnson (8:45)

• • Mia Goth (4:21)

• • Chloë Grace Moretz (5:33)

• • Jessica Harper (3:58)

• • Director Luca Guadagnino and Tilda Swinton (9:25)

• • Composer Thom Yorke (7:30)

• BAFTA Guru Masterclass with Luca Guadagnino: A terrific 88-minute examination of the life and career of Luca Guadagnino in which the filmmaker provides an array of interesting insights. 

• Oscar Award Conversation with Luca Guadagnino and the Cast: An 11-minute discussion at The Academy with Luca Guadagnino, Dakota Johnson, Tilda Swinton, Mia Goth, Chloë Grace Moretz, and Jessica Harper. 

• 7 Character Art Cards

Final Thoughts

Suspiria is the rare remake we would not want to live without. Luca Guadagnino has taken the original Dario Argento classic and blazed a new path that honors what came before yet layers on more thematically ambitious developments that allow it to stand on its own. Each film has something it does better than the other which facilitates a peaceful coexistence between the two. The performances in this version are amazing from the multiple Tilda Swinton role to the fierce tun from Dakota Johnson. This feature is firing on all cylinders, and it gets better with every viewing. Imprint Films has delivered a 4K UHD Blu-Ray featuring a first-rate A/V presentation and a wealth of great special features. If you are a fan of the film, this set is well worth the investment. Recommended 

Suspiria is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray. 

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Note #2: This release is an Australian import that can be played in Blu-Ray players worldwide.

Disclaimer: Imprint Films has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.