What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedSuspiria
Luca Guadagnino · Film · 2018
If you loved Suspiria, start with The Haunting of Hill House (Mike Flanagan, 2018) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Suspiria across media.
What hooked you in Suspiria was the way the visceral decay of the body mirrors the suffocating weight of inherited trauma.
Books on the same thread
Play Nice
Rachel Harrison · Book
Explores: inherited trauma, grief, family secrets.
Much like the occult undercurrents in Suspiria, this story grounds its supernatural dread in the inescapable burden of family secrets and the physical manifestation of long-buried grief and trauma.
Mexican Gothic
Silvia Moreno-Garcia · Book · 2021
Explores: generational trauma, colonialism, eugenics.
Fans of the atmosphere in Suspiria will appreciate how this narrative uses a decaying setting to explore the poisonous, generational trauma hidden behind a facade of aristocratic elegance and power.
Sharp Objects
Gillian Flynn · Book · 2018
Shares a thread with Suspiria: Psychological Thriller.
If you were drawn to the psychological fracturing found in Suspiria, you will recognize the same intense exploration of dysfunctional female relationships and the lingering, corrosive nature of childhood trauma.
The Haunting of Hill House
Shirley Jackson · Book · 1987
Explores: isolation, sanity, female hysteria.
This classic shares the sense of existential dread present in Suspiria, focusing on the way a singular, haunting location can unravel a person's sanity and sense of self through isolation.
Series on the same thread
American Horror Story
Ryan Murphy · Series · 2011
Explores: Trauma, Social Commentary, Identity.
Like Suspiria, this anthology series excels at blending high-concept horror with deep-seated power dynamics, frequently returning to the idea that our surroundings are shaped by histories of violence and obsession.
The Haunting of Hill House
Mike Flanagan · Series · 2018
Explores: Trauma, Family Secrets, Mental Illness.
The fractured family at the center of this story mirrors the intergenerational pain found in Suspiria, showing how the ghosts of the past physically and mentally haunt the present day.
Euphoria
Sam Levinson · Series · 2019
Explores: Drug Addiction, Mental Health, Teenage Angst.
While grounded in reality, this series captures the same raw, turbulent intensity of female identity and self-destruction that defines the artistic obsession and psychological collapse experienced within Suspiria.
Servant
Tony Basgallop · Series · 2019
Shares a thread with Suspiria: Psychological Thriller.
This domestic nightmare echoes the claustrophobic dread of Suspiria, illustrating how an unspeakable tragedy can invite a sinister, supernatural force into a home already splintered by grief and religious fervor.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Magnus Archives
Podcast
Explores: Esoteric Research, The Weird, Paranormal Investigation.
The commitment to esoteric research and the exploration of the weird in this podcast will satisfy those who enjoyed the occult, ritualistic investigations that drive the narrative of Suspiria.
Scary Pumpkin Horror Podcast
Podcast
Explores: Creepy, Fear, Nightmare.
For those who appreciated the nightmare-like quality of Suspiria, these stories offer a direct plunge into the supernatural and suspenseful, prioritizing the visceral experience of fear above all else.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Suspiria about a dance company?
Yes, Suspiria centers on a world-renowned dance company where a dark force begins to emerge. The plot follows an ambitious young dancer, the artistic director, and a grieving psychotherapist as they are engulfed by the nightmare taking place within the walls of the studio.
What happens to the characters in Suspiria?
The characters in Suspiria face a sinister environment that threatens to consume them. The description notes that some individuals will succumb to the nightmare unfolding at the dance company, while others will finally wake up from the darkness swirling at the center of the institution.
Who are the central figures in Suspiria?
The narrative of Suspiria focuses on three primary individuals affected by the darkness at the dance company. These characters include the artistic director of the school, an ambitious young dancer who joins the group, and a grieving psychotherapist who becomes involved in the unfolding events.
Is Suspiria a film about a nightmare?
Suspiria is described as a film where a darkness swirls at the center of a dance company. This environment creates a nightmare that threatens to engulf the main characters, forcing them to either succumb to the terrifying circumstances or find a way to wake up.