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M

Play trailer Poster for M Released Apr 2, 1933 1h 39m Mystery & Thriller Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 63 Reviews 95% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
In this classic German thriller, Hans Beckert (Peter Lorre), a serial killer who preys on children, becomes the focus of a massive Berlin police manhunt. Beckert's heinous crimes are so repellant and disruptive to city life that he is even targeted by others in the seedy underworld network. With both cops and criminals in pursuit, the murderer soon realizes that people are on his trail, sending him into a tense, panicked attempt to escape justice.
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Critics Consensus

A landmark psychological thriller with arresting images, deep thoughts on modern society, and Peter Lorre in his finest performance.

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Critics Reviews

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Bruce Blevin The New Republic Not only is the film brilliantly directed, with a vast amount of that inspired type-casting at which the Germans are so good, but Peter Lorre acts the part of the insane murderer with great insight and inspired skill. Feb 18, 2022 Full Review Kevin Maher Times (UK) Be afraid. Be properly afraid. The greatest creation of Fritz Lang's career remains one of the most disturbing movies of his, or any, film-making era. Rated: 5/5 Jun 30, 2019 Full Review Carrie Rickey Philadelphia Inquirer Lang's movie is that rare thing, a nail-biting soul-searcher. While M steers clear of analyzing deviance, it is startling in its musings on which punishment fits an inhuman crime. Rated: 4/4 May 2, 2016 Full Review David Parkinson Radio Times A genuine masterpiece. Rated: 5/5 Aug 17, 2024 Full Review Brian Susbielles InSession Film One of the most chilling films ever. Mar 8, 2023 Full Review Kristy Strouse Wonderfully Weird and Horrifying Exceptional performances, packed with social commentary, M is a nail-biting thriller that is brought to life through its expert direction and techniques. A prime example of a must-see classic masterwork that is ahead of its time. Oct 26, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Insomniac X Fritz Lang constructs an engrossing social drama from the trappings of crime and thriller fiction. The serial killer manhunt featured here -- complete with psychological profiling on the part of law enforcement -- has been imitated by countless films. The same can be said for the thrilling heist sequence in act two. The story's disparate elements ultimately resolve into a sobering meditation on the nature of justice, and the limitations and responsibilities of law and community. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/01/25 Full Review William B Nice Peter Lorre's performance. Good acting and awesome plot. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/22/24 Full Review g j The start and the end are fantastic, but overall the pacing is atrocious and I found it hard to stay awake for most of the middle of this film. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 10/16/24 Full Review Christian K Really a great concept, the police simply can't catch a notorious child serial killer so are upping their presence in the streets around town. This impacts the criminal organizations in town so they decide to go and capture him themselves, which they manage in about 2 days. Inventive filmmaking for the era and the actor who plays the killer gives an incredible extended final monologue. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 08/07/24 Full Review Cem Y Technicality aside, I think the movie owes much of its worth to the last scene. On the other hand, the idea of revealing the character who should have been mysterious according to current rules of cinema did not make me happy as a 21st century audience. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/27/24 Full Review Mohamed K A landmark achievement in cinema, a groundbreaking exploration of crime and punishment that remains as relevant and impactful today as it was upon its release in 1931. Combining elements of German Expressionism with gritty realism, Lang crafts a taut and suspenseful thriller that delves deep into the darkest recesses of the human psyche. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/12/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis In this classic German thriller, Hans Beckert (Peter Lorre), a serial killer who preys on children, becomes the focus of a massive Berlin police manhunt. Beckert's heinous crimes are so repellant and disruptive to city life that he is even targeted by others in the seedy underworld network. With both cops and criminals in pursuit, the murderer soon realizes that people are on his trail, sending him into a tense, panicked attempt to escape justice.
Director
Fritz Lang
Producer
Seymour Nebenzal
Screenwriter
Egon Jacobson, Fritz Lang
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Nero-Film AG
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
Original Language
German
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 2, 1933, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 21, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA)
$29.6K
Runtime
1h 39m
Sound Mix
Mono
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