M

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M

Released Apr 2, 1933

1h 39m

Mystery & Thriller

Crime

Drama

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Popcornmeter

100%

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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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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

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Kevin Maher

The 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

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Lang’s film remains an urgent and engaging experience that still feels vibrantly made and acted—the product of a specific place and time in history, of course, but also vital, exciting, and timeless.

Rated: 4/4

Mar 13, 2025

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David Parkinson

Radio Times

A genuine masterpiece.

Rated: 5/5

Aug 17, 2024

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Brian Susbielles

InSession Film

One of the most chilling films ever.

Mar 8, 2023

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Liliana F

I was shocked at the sharp realism of this movie, it didn't show the children being killed, but the little girl's balloon and ball rolling around is somehow worse. This movie was terrifying and captivating, really good though, the shadowplay made Peter Lorre really frightening.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/05/25

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Jim N

Fritz Lang's 1931 German film stars the always memorable Peter Lorre as a child murderer. The atmosphere is one of shadow-looming streets and smoky dens; the characters have the fascination and grotesquerie of gargoyles. Lang here originated, or co-originated, the genre of the psychopath and police investigation, culminating in the killer's desperate defence. Nobody seriously interested or involved in cinema can afford to miss this. It is a masterpiece.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/29/25

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Shane C

M has got to be one of the best crime thrillers of the century The movie itself is a gritty,dark,scary thriller that is full of tense. The police in this movie are portrayed as people who just go after innocent people instead of the actual killer. This movie is a masterpiece

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/25/25

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Ege S

It really makes you question your sense of justice.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/12/25

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Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 39 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Starring Peter Lorre as Hans Beckert!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/07/25

Full Review

max c

boring, slow pace, wouldnt advise for younger audiance

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

05/22/25

Full Review

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Fritz Lang

Director

Peter Lorre

Hans Beckert

Ellen Widmann

Madame Beckmann

Inge Landgut

Elsie Beckmann

Otto Wernicke

Insp. Karl Lohmann

Gustaf Gründgens

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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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