Alternate Character Interpretation: The rain of maggots is such a surprise moment that many viewers didn't even realise it was caused by the witches to search the students' rooms - since Miss Tanner seems surprised at it as well. Maybe the witches just cast a spell that would allow them to clear the floor and search the rooms, and the spell made the food rot and rain maggots down on the floor without them knowing that's what would happen.
Anti-Climax Boss: Helena Markos. She's the head of the coven of witches who can do pretty much anything they want. Once Suzy sees a flaw in her invincibility, she easily stabs her. Mother of Tearsaddresses this, saying that she had been left in a weakened state from a battle with another witch.
Big-Lipped Alligator Moment: The German slap-dancing scene. Like most such moments it serves no real purpose to the plot, and it completely interrupts the ominous atmosphere. And like a lot of them there can be a reason for it if not plotwise. Because of the Improbably Female Cast and the Women Are Delicate aspects. The all-male, vigorously masculine dance contrasts with the delicate ballet dancing.
Pat's death actually occurs at a hotel or boarding house, after she explicitly runs away from the school, but many reviews mistake it taking place at the school, with the famous window being associated with the school.
Similarly, Pat's friend Sonia is often mistaken with Sara or Olga, despite being killed early on. One book discussing the film goes so far as to claim she's Pat's mother.
Albert, the little boy, has gained an inexplicable cult following.
Miss Tanner as well is one of the most memorable characters in the film, with many calling Alida Valli the real scene-stealer.
Fan-Preferred Cut Content: A scene was scripted where Olga would be seen performing with the Bolshoi the night the students were at the ballet. It would have provided some resolution to the character, who vanishes from the story very quickly. Her actress claims that Olga was a witch-in-training, suggesting that she was spying on Suzy early on.
First Installment Wins: Suspiria is seen as a classic of horror cinema, despite some flaws, and it is widely respected in film circles. Inferno (1980) is viewed as So Okay, It's Average (though it does have a strong fanbase too) while Mother of Tears is viewed as a disaster. Suzy is also the most popular of the three protagonists that lead each story - as she's an active character who avenges her friend and brings the coven down entirely on her own.
Hilarious in Hindsight: Dario Argento was persuaded to age the characters up to their early 20s out of fear that a violent horror movie with children would be banned. Fans of Children of the Corn, Annabelle: Creation, It (2017) and Stranger Things laugh. To be fair, none of these movies have the brutal violence that Suspiria does. Imagine, the first death being depicted on a child. Plus, this was a movie in the late 70s which had stricter censorship.
Just Here for Godzilla: Some people watch it just for the gaudy visuals and surreal atmosphere.
Money-Making Shot: The often referenced shot at the end of Pat's murder, where she's hanged in the hallway. Casey's murder at the start of Scream (1996) recreates it.
Narm Charm: In the English version, when Pat is being attacked, her friend Sonia is suddenly banging on other people's doors screaming "this is murder!" and "there's a murderer!" - which should sound very silly, since she's jumping to an extreme conclusion, but it doesn't detract from how horrific it is.
Nausea Fuel: The maggots come from the food supply arriving spoiled. Live maggots are used liberally in the film, including a close-up of characters' shoes stomping on them, complete with popping sound effects. Yuck!
One-Scene Wonder: Technically Helena Markos only appears in one scene (with her snoring only being heard in another) but boy does she make her presence felt!
Paranoia Fuel: The witches can strike at any minute, killing whoever they want and Make It Look Like an Accident (in the case of Daniel). Or else they can just make it look as if someone ran away and vanished like Sara.
Signature Scene: The murder of Pat is easily the most remembered scene, precisely because of how shockingly violent and gory it is.
Squick: Nothing like brushing maggots out of your hair.
When Daniel is attacked by his seeing-eye dog, it is a very obvious hand puppet that does the chumping on his throat.
A bat attacks Suzy in the third act, but it looks incredibly fake.
Suspiciously Similar Song: The movie's main theme seems heavily based on Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells".
Values Dissonance: Suzy turns down the free room at the school - which is perfectly fine - in favor of paying Olga $50 a week to rent a room from her in town. You'd be hard pressed to find many twentysomethings today who'd turn down a free room just to avoid feeling "like a kid". This did make a little more sense in the early draft when the students were children, explaining Suzy's immaturity somewhat.
Vindicated by History: Although the film was a commercial success, it was trashed by critics upon release because of perceived plot holes and weak characterization. Nowadays, it's considered a masterpiece of Surreal Horror and one of the most visually stunning films of all time.
Visual Effects of Awesome: The set design and lighting truly seems like something out of a nightmare.
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