Suspiria
Susie Bannion is a young American ballerina who travels to Berlin to study dancing at Madame Blanc's Markos Tanz Company, one of the world's most renowned schools. On her first day, one of the students who had been recently expelled from the school is murdered. As this appalling happening does not seem to be an isolated occurrence, the brilliant new student soon begins to suspect that the school might be involved in the homicide. Her mistrust heightens when Sarah, one of the girls at the school, tells her that before she was killed, Pat confided to her that she knew and guarded a terrifying secret.
The film commercial failure against its respectable budget of $20.0M, earning $8.0M globally (-60% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its bold vision within the drama genre.
28 wins & 75 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Suspiria (2018) exhibits precise narrative design, characteristic of Luca Guadagnino's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 14-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 32 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Patricia Hingle flees the Markos Dance Academy in terror through rainy Berlin streets, paranoid and fearful, establishing a world where something deeply wrong lurks beneath artistic beauty.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 19 minutes when Susie is accepted into the company and given Patricia's former role. She enters the dance academy's inner world as Patricia vanishes completely, crossing a threshold into darkness.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 37 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Susie performs "Volk" for the first time while Olga is trapped in the mirrored studio. Susie's dance supernaturally controls and destroys Olga's body in a horrific death. Susie has actively unleashed dark power., moving from reaction to action.
At 75 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Susie performs a ritualistic solo dance as Madame Blanc watches. She experiences a euphoric, orgasmic connection to dark power. The stakes are raised: Susie is not a victim but willingly embracing the coven's force., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 113 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Sara is dragged into the ritual chamber, hooked to the coven's apparatus. Dr. Klemperer is brought before the witches, helpless. All hope appears lost as the ritual to resurrect Mother Markos begins., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 121 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Susie executes the corrupted witches in a grotesque display of divine violence. She grants Sara and the victims merciful death. She absolves Dr. Klemperer, erasing his painful memories. Order is restored through blood., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Suspiria's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 14 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Suspiria against these established plot points, we can identify how Luca Guadagnino utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Suspiria within the drama genre.
Luca Guadagnino's Structural Approach
Among the 7 Luca Guadagnino films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Suspiria takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Luca Guadagnino filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Luca Guadagnino analyses, see Call Me by Your Name, Melissa P. and I Am Love.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Patricia Hingle flees the Markos Dance Academy in terror through rainy Berlin streets, paranoid and fearful, establishing a world where something deeply wrong lurks beneath artistic beauty.
Theme
Madame Blanc tells Susie during her audition: "When you dance, you must give yourself over completely." The theme of surrender, control, and what one sacrifices for art is stated.
Worldbuilding
Susie Bannion arrives from Ohio to audition at the prestigious Markos Academy in 1977 Berlin. We meet the matrons, the dancers, Dr. Klemperer investigating Patricia's disappearance, and the politically charged atmosphere of the German Autumn.
Disruption
Susie is accepted into the company and given Patricia's former role. She enters the dance academy's inner world as Patricia vanishes completely, crossing a threshold into darkness.
Resistance
Susie begins rehearsals for Volk, bonding with fellow dancer Sara. Madame Blanc becomes her mentor. Dr. Klemperer continues investigating. Olga rebels against the matrons and accuses them of witchcraft.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Susie performs "Volk" for the first time while Olga is trapped in the mirrored studio. Susie's dance supernaturally controls and destroys Olga's body in a horrific death. Susie has actively unleashed dark power.
Mirror World
Susie and Sara deepen their friendship, confiding fears and secrets. Sara represents emotional connection and humanity, the counterpoint to Susie's increasingly consuming artistic ambition.
Premise
Susie rises as the company's star performer, embraced by Blanc. Sara investigates the matrons' secrets, discovering occult symbols. The dance company prepares for Volk's premiere while supernatural forces grow stronger.
Midpoint
Susie performs a ritualistic solo dance as Madame Blanc watches. She experiences a euphoric, orgasmic connection to dark power. The stakes are raised: Susie is not a victim but willingly embracing the coven's force.
Opposition
Sara discovers the truth about the witches and tries to flee but is captured. Dr. Klemperer confronts the coven. Blanc chooses Susie as the vessel for Mother Markos. Everything closes in as the sabbath ritual approaches.
Collapse
Sara is dragged into the ritual chamber, hooked to the coven's apparatus. Dr. Klemperer is brought before the witches, helpless. All hope appears lost as the ritual to resurrect Mother Markos begins.
Crisis
The Grand Sabbath ritual unfolds. Mother Markos attempts to possess Susie. Susie appears to submit to the witches' will. The darkest moment as bodies are mutilated and evil seems triumphant.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Susie executes the corrupted witches in a grotesque display of divine violence. She grants Sara and the victims merciful death. She absolves Dr. Klemperer, erasing his painful memories. Order is restored through blood.
Transformation
Dr. Klemperer, memories erased, sits peacefully. Susie watches over the reformed academy. The goddess walks among mortals, transformed from innocent dancer to ancient power embodied.