The Three Mothers: Unpacking the Mythology of the 'Suspiria' Universe

Welcome to a deeper dive into the captivating and terrifying world of Dario Argento's Suspiria and Luca Guadagnino's reimagining. Central to both films is the concept of the Three Mothers, ancient and powerful witches who subtly (or not so subtly) influence the events unfolding within the stories. In this blog post, we'll be unpacking the mythology of these enigmatic figures, exploring their origins, symbolism, and the profound influence they exert on the narrative. We discussed these films at length on our most recent episode, and if you haven't already, be sure to check out Suspiria Showdown - Original vs. Reimagined to hear our thoughts on both the original and the reimagining!

Who are the Three Mothers?

The Three Mothers – Mater Suspiriorum, Mater Tenebrarum, and Mater Lacrimarum – are a trio of powerful witches conceived by Argento and writer Daria Nicolodi as the architects behind a global network of covens and supernatural evil. Drawing inspiration from Thomas De Quincey's essay "Levana and Our Ladies of Sorrow," Argento crafted a mythology that serves as the foundation for his "Three Mothers" trilogy. Unlike traditional witches who derive their power from nature or deities, the Three Mothers are self-made forces of nature, embodiments of primal fears and destructive impulses. They are not merely antagonists but rather fundamental aspects of a world teetering on the edge of chaos.

Each Mother embodies a distinct aspect of darkness and suffering:

• Mater Suspiriorum (The Mother of Sighs) represents secrets and repressed anguish.
• Mater Tenebrarum (The Mother of Darkness) embodies chaos and the corruption of innocence.
• Mater Lacrimarum (The Mother of Tears) represents despair and inconsolable grief.

Their origins are shrouded in mystery, but the mythos suggests that they are ancient beings who amassed immense power through dark rituals and esoteric knowledge. They built opulent homes that radiated their respective brands of evil, subtly influencing the surrounding world and attracting followers drawn to their corrupting influence. These homes, often disguised as seemingly ordinary buildings (such as a ballet academy), serve as focal points for their power and act as conduits for their malevolent influence.

Mater Suspiriorum: The Mother of Sighs

Mater Suspiriorum, the first of the Three Mothers to appear on screen in the original Suspiria (1977), is perhaps the most physically vulnerable, yet she is no less terrifying. Living under the assumed name of Helena Markos, she operates as the headmistress of the Tanz Akademie, a prestigious ballet school in Germany. However, beneath the veneer of respectability lies a dark secret: Markos is a centuries-old witch who maintains her power through the suffering and fear of her students.

Her primary domain is secrecy and repressed emotion. The "sighs" in her title represent the unspoken anxieties, the buried traumas, and the stifled voices of her victims. She thrives in an environment of paranoia and distrust, manipulating her followers and students against one another to maintain her control. She physically appears as an elderly, frail woman in the original film, representing her aging power and the necessity to feed on the life force of others to sustain herself. This decaying physical form also represents the stagnant nature of secrets and the way repressed emotions can fester and corrupt.

In the 1977 film, Mater Suspiriorum's influence is primarily manifested through the unsettling atmosphere of the Tanz Akademie. The school's architecture, lighting, and music all contribute to a sense of unease and dread, reflecting her corrupting presence. The students experience nightmares, paranoia, and violent outbursts, all subtle manifestations of her psychic power. Her ultimate goal is to remain hidden and maintain her control over the coven, which is threatened by Suzy Bannion's arrival and investigation.

Mater Tenebrarum: The Mother of Darkness

Mater Tenebrarum, the Mother of Darkness, makes her appearance in the second film of the trilogy, Inferno (1980). She is the most actively malevolent of the three, embodying chaos, violence, and the corruption of innocence. While Mater Suspiriorum operates through manipulation and secrecy, Mater Tenebrarum revels in destruction and seeks to plunge the world into darkness.

Living in a gothic apartment building in New York City, she preys upon the unsuspecting residents, turning their lives into a living nightmare. Her power manifests through gruesome murders, bizarre occurrences, and the unraveling of sanity. Unlike Mater Suspiriorum, who hides her true nature, Mater Tenebrarum seems to revel in her evil, orchestrating acts of violence and madness with a theatrical flair. Her lair is a chaotic labyrinth of dark corridors, hidden passages, and gruesome chambers, reflecting the twisted nature of her soul.

Mater Tenebrarum is associated with fire and shadows, often appearing in moments of intense violence or supernatural phenomena. She delights in corrupting the innocent, turning them into instruments of her will. Her ultimate goal is to spread chaos and destruction, plunging the world into an eternal night. In Inferno, her presence manifests through a series of increasingly bizarre and horrific events, as Rose Elliot, the film's protagonist, attempts to uncover the truth behind the building's dark secrets.

Mater Lacrimarum: The Mother of Tears

Mater Lacrimarum, the Mother of Tears, is the third and final Mother to appear in the trilogy, featured in the film Mother of Tears (2007). She embodies despair, inconsolable grief, and the power of lamentation. Unlike her sisters who operate in secrecy or through overt violence, Mater Lacrimarum uses the power of sorrow to manipulate and control her followers.

Living in Rome, she unleashes a wave of chaos and despair upon the city, triggering riots, violence, and widespread suffering. Her influence manifests through outbreaks of grief, madness, and self-destruction. She draws power from the collective sorrow of humanity, amplifying it and turning it into a weapon. Mater Lacrimarum is often depicted as a beautiful and seductive figure, but beneath the alluring facade lies a bottomless well of despair. She uses her beauty and charisma to attract followers, manipulating them with promises of solace and understanding, while ultimately leading them to their doom.

Her primary power lies in her ability to evoke intense emotions, particularly grief and despair. She is associated with water, representing the flow of tears and the overwhelming nature of sorrow. In Mother of Tears, her influence is felt throughout Rome as the city descends into chaos and violence. The film's protagonist, Sarah Mandy, must confront Mater Lacrimarum and find a way to break her power over the city before it is consumed by grief.

The Three Mothers in 'Suspiria' (1977)

In the original Suspiria, Mater Suspiriorum, as Helena Markos, is the central antagonist. Although her physical presence is largely unseen until the film's climax, her influence permeates every aspect of the Tanz Akademie. The school's oppressive atmosphere, bizarre occurrences, and the increasingly erratic behavior of the students all point to her malevolent presence.

Suzy Bannion's arrival at the school disrupts the delicate balance of power that Markos has established. Suzy's growing suspicion and investigation threaten to expose Markos' true identity and unravel the coven's secrets. The film uses vibrant colors, jarring music, and surreal imagery to create a sense of unease and dread, reflecting the psychological torment inflicted by Mater Suspiriorum. The killings within the school, while seemingly random, are ultimately orchestrated to eliminate anyone who poses a threat to Markos' power.

The film's climax sees Suzy confronting Markos in her hidden chamber, exposing her true identity and ultimately destroying her. The film emphasizes the importance of confronting hidden truths and overcoming repressed fears. Suzy's journey from naive student to courageous investigator represents the power of knowledge and the ability to break free from the influence of evil.

The Three Mothers in 'Suspiria' (2018)

Luca Guadagnino's Suspiria (2018) takes a different approach to the Three Mothers, reimagining them in a more complex and nuanced way. While Mater Suspiriorum remains a key figure, the film introduces the concept of Mother Suspiriorum and the idea of a power struggle within the coven.

In this version, Mother Suspiriorum is not simply an antagonist but a powerful force of nature, representing the collective will of the witches and the ancient traditions of the coven. The film explores the political and social dynamics within the coven, highlighting the conflict between those who seek to maintain the old ways and those who desire change. Madame Blanc, played by Tilda Swinton, embodies this conflict, torn between her loyalty to the coven and her growing affection for Suzy Bannion. The film’s depiction of the Three Mothers incorporates ideas of duality and explores the idea that evil and good are often intertwined.

Suzy's arrival at the academy triggers a series of events that ultimately lead to the overthrow of the old guard and the rise of a new era. The film incorporates themes of female empowerment, political revolution, and the reclaiming of suppressed histories. The rituals and dances depicted in the film are not simply acts of evil but also expressions of female solidarity and resistance against patriarchal oppression.

Ultimately, the 2018 Suspiria presents a more ambiguous and morally complex vision of the Three Mothers, blurring the lines between good and evil and questioning the nature of power and control. The film suggests that the Mothers are not simply forces of darkness but rather reflections of the complex and often contradictory aspects of human nature. The reimagined film leaves a lot to consider about the place of women, the burden of history, and the role of ritual in human life.

Symbolism and Themes

The Three Mothers are rich in symbolism, each representing distinct aspects of the human psyche and the nature of evil. Mater Suspiriorum embodies secrecy, repression, and the corrupting influence of hidden truths. Mater Tenebrarum represents chaos, violence, and the destruction of innocence. Mater Lacrimarum symbolizes grief, despair, and the overwhelming power of sorrow.

The films explore themes of female power, witchcraft, and the dark underbelly of society. The Three Mothers represent the hidden forces that shape our world, influencing events from behind the scenes and preying upon the vulnerable. The films also examine the role of art, dance, and ritual as expressions of both creativity and destruction. The Tanz Akademie, in both versions of Suspiria, serves as a microcosm of society, reflecting the power struggles, social hierarchies, and hidden secrets that exist within the larger world. The ballet school becomes a stage for the unfolding drama of the Three Mothers, where the students are both victims and participants in their dark games.

Other recurring symbols in the Three Mothers trilogy include:

• Architecture: The buildings where the Mothers reside reflect their personalities and influence. The Tanz Akademie is oppressive and labyrinthine, reflecting Mater Suspiriorum's manipulative nature. Mater Tenebrarum's apartment building is chaotic and filled with hidden passages, reflecting her love of destruction.
• Colors: Argento's use of vibrant, saturated colors in Suspiria (1977) creates a surreal and unsettling atmosphere, reflecting the psychological torment inflicted by Mater Suspiriorum. The 2018 film uses a more muted palette, reflecting the darker and more politically charged themes of the film.
• Music: The soundtracks of both films are integral to creating a sense of unease and dread. Goblin's iconic score for the original Suspiria is jarring and unsettling, while Thom Yorke's score for the 2018 film is more melancholic and atmospheric.

Influence on the Narrative

The Three Mothers are the driving force behind the narratives of their respective films. Their presence shapes the events, influences the characters, and ultimately determines the fate of the world. In Suspiria (1977), Mater Suspiriorum's influence is felt throughout the Tanz Akademie, creating an atmosphere of paranoia and dread. Suzy Bannion's arrival disrupts the coven's plans and sets in motion a chain of events that ultimately leads to Markos' destruction. In Inferno, Mater Tenebrarum's presence unleashes a wave of chaos and violence upon New York City, as Rose Elliot attempts to uncover the truth behind her building's dark secrets. In Mother of Tears, Mater Lacrimarum's influence plunges Rome into despair and violence, as Sarah Mandy must confront the Mother of Tears and break her power over the city.

The Three Mothers serve as a metaphor for the hidden forces that shape our world, influencing events from behind the scenes and preying upon the vulnerable. They represent the dark underbelly of society, the repressed fears and desires that can lead to violence and destruction. By confronting the Three Mothers, the protagonists of the films must confront their own fears and insecurities, ultimately finding the strength to overcome evil.

The influence of the Three Mothers extends beyond the immediate events of the films, suggesting that their power is deeply rooted in history and mythology. They are ancient beings who have existed for centuries, shaping the course of human events and leaving their mark on the world. Their stories serve as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the dangers of unchecked power, repressed emotions, and the ever-present threat of evil.

Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of the Three Mothers

The Three Mothers remain a fascinating and terrifying concept in horror cinema. Their enduring legacy lies in their ability to tap into our deepest fears and anxieties, exploring themes of power, control, and the dark underbelly of society. Whether you prefer the vibrant, surreal atmosphere of the original Suspiria or the more politically charged reimagining, the Three Mothers continue to captivate and disturb audiences with their haunting presence.

As we discussed in our latest episode, Suspiria Showdown - Original vs. Reimagined, the way these mythologies are presented offers different but equally compelling insights into the nature of evil and the power of female agency. Both films, in their unique ways, demonstrate the lasting impact of the Three Mothers on the landscape of horror. We hope you enjoyed this deeper exploration into the mythos behind these films, and we look forward to continuing this conversation with you in our next episode!