Laura

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Laura

Released Oct 11, 1944

1h 28m

Mystery & Thriller

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100%

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64 Reviews

90%

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10,000+ Ratings

In one of the most celebrated 1940s film noirs, Manhattan detective Mark McPherson (Dana Andrews) investigates the murder of Madison Avenue executive Laura Hunt (Gene Tierney) in her fashionable apartment. On the trail of her murderer, McPherson quizzes Laura's arrogant best friend, gossip columnist Waldo Lydecker (Clifton Webb) and her comparatively mild fiancé, Shelby Carpenter (Vincent Price). As the detective grows obsessed with the case, he finds himself falling in love with the dead woman.

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Critics Consensus

A psychologically complex portrait of obsession, Laura is also a deliciously well-crafted murder mystery.

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London Evening Standard

Will leave you drunk with delight.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 24, 2012

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Laura is still every bit as gripping in 2012.

Rated: 5/5

Feb 23, 2012

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Matthew Thrift

Little White Lies

Not only one of Preminger's greatest, but one of the great noirs.

Rated: 5/5

Feb 23, 2012

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

... elegance incarnate in a genre known for its hard edge, the sleekest, silkiest noir of all.

Nov 18, 2023

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Onscreen, Tierney plays an icon who entrances everyone around her, but the performer's life off-camera lends the role tragic insight that makes the film unforgettable.

Rated: 4/4

Feb 12, 2022

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Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

...piles up the intrigue and obsession.

Rated: 3.5/4

Mar 14, 2021

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Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 28 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Starring Vincent Price!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will miss him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/07/25

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Lars T

Some films are special, different, transcendent; watching them, you are aware that they are in a different class entirely. Your are engrossed, spellbound, and your narrative disbelief is utterly suspended--"Laura" is one of these films. If your tastes turn to Noir, you will not be disappointed.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/22/25

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William B

Definitely a must see film. More than once. Great plot.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/22/24

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Ted B

4.0 stars; One of the top-rated film noir movies of the 40s. This is the third time I've watched it, and each time I pick up something new. A well-done, well-acted movie in any genre. I especially like the dialogue... an excellent screenplay. Over and above all the accolades above, it was a pretty darn good mystery in its own right.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/26/24

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nick s

This is a very well written mystery. Lots of the colourful characters have motives, but none feel contrived. I think it's a very difficult thing to pull off. Great cinematography and sharp dialogue.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/08/23

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Nizar N

Mysterious and brilliant. Some scenes can be monotonous but that doesn't affect the final result other than those scenes being potentially forgettable.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/20/23

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Otto Preminger

Director

Gene Tierney

Laura Hunt

Dana Andrews

Det. Lt. Mark McPherson

Clifton Webb

Waldo Lydecker

Vincent Price

Shelby Carpenter

Judith Anderson

Ann Treadwell

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Synopsis

In one of the most celebrated 1940s film noirs, Manhattan detective Mark McPherson (Dana Andrews) investigates the murder of Madison Avenue executive Laura Hunt (Gene Tierney) in her fashionable apartment. On the trail of her murderer, McPherson quizzes Laura's arrogant best friend, gossip columnist Waldo Lydecker (Clifton Webb) and her comparatively mild fiancé, Shelby Carpenter (Vincent Price). As the detective grows obsessed with the case, he finds himself falling in love with the dead woman.

Director: Otto Preminger
Producer: Otto Preminger
Screenwriter: Jay Dratler, Samuel Hoffenstein, Elizabeth Reinhardt
Production Co: Twentieth Century Fox
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 11, 1944, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Runtime: 1h 28m

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