Rebecca

Released Apr 12, 1940

2 hr. 10 min.

Mystery & Thriller

List

98%

107 Reviews

Tomatometer

92%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Story of a young woman who marries a fascinating widower only to find out that she must live in the shadow of his former wife, Rebecca, who died mysteriously several years earlier. The young wife must come to grips with the terrible secret of her handsome, cold husband, Max De Winter (Laurence Olivier). She must also deal with the jealous, obsessed Mrs. Danvers (Judith Anderson), the housekeeper, who will not accept her as the mistress of the house.

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Critics Consensus

Hitchcock's first American film (and his only Best Picture winner), Rebecca is a masterpiece of haunting atmosphere, Gothic thrills, and gripping suspense.

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Jeff M

This film is the only Hitchcock movie to win the Best Picture Oscar. He never won the Academy Award for Best Director. Interestingly, while overall another terrific achievement, this one didn't grab me as much as some of his later offerings. Although there's suspense here, it feels more like soap opera at times. And this isn't necessarily the fault of Olivier's performance, but every time he is onscreen I can't help but think of Harvey Korman on "The Carol Burnett Show" - Korman did a character that is an obvious impersonation of Lord Olivier here. At over two hours, the movie drags a bit in the middle, but it definitely picks up steam and the last 45 minutes get better and better. Fontaine is superb, and Anderson is one of the creepier supporting characters in recent memory. Hitchcock is a rare breed - I've become very nit-picky when it comes to his movies because of the brilliance I've seen on several occasions. And even though I found faults here, faulty Hitchcock is better than most moviemakers doing their career bests!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/26/24

Full Review

stevie68a

Great acting by the entire cast with a standout role by Florence Bates. Hitchcock shows his genius with his first American film. I'm seen this several times. I would have preferred Vivien Leigh as the second Mrs. Dewinter (who has no first name as contrasted with Rebecca, who we never see). My idea of a perfect film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/14/23

Full Review

John E

It's Hitchcock, so the story is good, but this is not his best work. The staging and screen direction are okay.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/01/23

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Sheila P

I prefer the book to the film.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/15/23

Full Review

Jack V

One of Hitchcock's greatest films. The acting is simply phenomenal, all the characters are written so well and the twists at the end are cherry on top of the cake. It's a bit of a slow burn but it's so worth it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/14/23

Full Review

Alexsander F

Com certeza "Rebecca" é um filme inesquecível.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/11/23

Full Review

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Alfred Hitchcock

Director

Laurence Olivier

George Fortescu Maximillian 'Maxim' de Winter

Joan Fontaine

The Second Mrs. de Winter

Judith Anderson

Mrs. Danvers

George Sanders

Jack Favell

Nigel Bruce

Major Giles Lacy

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Wendy Ide

Times (UK)

The exercise in suspense is dominated by a blistering performance by Judith Anderson as the housekeeper Mrs Danvers.

Mar 27, 2023

Full Review

Pauline Kael

New Yorker

Magnificent romantic-gothic corn, full of Alfred Hitchcock's humor and inventiveness.

Jul 28, 2022

Full Review

Katherine Howard

Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com

Don't go to Rebecca thinking you will see some sort of horror or freak movie. It is not a Frankenstein, but an intensely dramatic piece with all the suspense and emotional appeal you could cram into one movie.

Mar 24, 2022

Full Review

Mark Johnson

Awards Daily

Mysterious and suspenseful, Rebecca is a mentally and psychologically stimulating experience

Jun 14, 2023

Full Review

Carson Timar

ButteredPopcorn

Rebecca might not be the most thrilling feature to come from Alfred Hitchcock, yet it undoubtedly is another great showcase of the filmmakers talents and skill.

Rated: A-

Aug 28, 2022

Full Review

Dilys Powell

Sunday Times (UK)

One might have thought that when blackmail and murder were out Hitchcock's feeling for quick explosive action would show itself. Oddly enough he seems instead to lose interest. Perhaps the exquisite silliness of the story was too much for him.

Aug 8, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

Story of a young woman who marries a fascinating widower only to find out that she must live in the shadow of his former wife, Rebecca, who died mysteriously several years earlier. The young wife must come to grips with the terrible secret of her handsome, cold husband, Max De Winter (Laurence Olivier). She must also deal with the jealous, obsessed Mrs. Danvers (Judith Anderson), the housekeeper, who will not accept her as the mistress of the house.

Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Screenwriter: Daphne Du Maurier, Philip MacDonald, Michael Hogan, Robert E. Sherwood, Joan Harrison, Barbara Keon
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: Selznick International Pictures
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 12, 1940, Wide
Release Date (DVD): Oct 14, 2008
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)