10 Scariest Uses Of Make-Up In Horror Movies

10. Sarah Attacks Suzy – Suspiria (1977)

When it comes to combining vibrant colour schemes, hip prog rock soundtracks, enigmatic plots, and outrageous acts of violence, few did it better than Giallo master Dario Argento. 1977’s Suspiria is perhaps the best example of that.

The cryptic tale of an America ballet student named Suzy uncovering a coven of witches at a German school, this first part of Argento’s “Three Mothers” trilogy is full of dreadful imagery with dire implications. That said, it’s the final appearance of Suzy’s classmate Sarah that truly alarms.

Earlier in the film, Sarah sneaked out of her room to investigate strange noises in the hallway, leading to an unseen force chasing her into a room full of razor wire. For much of the remaining runtime, her fate is left unknown—that is, until she reappears bloodied and brandishing a butcher’s knife meant to stop Suzy from discovering the head witch, Helena Markos.

It’s the realism and simplicity of Sarah’s appearance that makes it so startling. Rather than be covered in many layers of monstrous prosthetics, her inhuman glare and few facial slashes—coupled with her demonic cackle—are enough to send shivers down the viewer’s spine. It’s as iconic as it is distressing.