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The Stranger

Play trailer Poster for The Stranger Released May 25, 1946 1h 35m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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97% Tomatometer 32 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Immediately following World War II, ex-Nazi Franz Kindler (Orson Welles) is living under a false identity as a teacher in a small Connecticut town, and has even married the headmaster's daughter (Loretta Young) as part of his cover. But when one of Kindler's old German associates (Konstantin Shayne) arrives unexpectedly in town, bringing in his wake a sly federal investigator (Edward G. Robinson), Kindler resorts to desperate measures to preserve his secret.
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The Stranger

The Stranger

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Critics Consensus

The sins of World War II reemerge in an idyllic American setting in this diabolically effective noir, buoyed by Orson Welles' virtuosic direction and performance.

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Critics Reviews

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Chris Bennion The Times (UK) Traditional as it may be, this postwar thriller is unmistakably Wellesian (not least because of the obsession with clocks). Apr 3, 2023 Full Review Jack D. Grant The Hollywood Reporter The creators of this one deserve their acclaim. Jul 4, 2022 Full Review TIME Magazine Adroitly directed by Orson Welles, who also plays the star, it is a grade A gooseflesh-raiser. Mar 12, 2013 Full Review Don Shanahan Every Movie Has a Lesson "The Stranger," while built on a clever and timely post-Nazi regime premise for 1946, boils down to an Edward G. Robinson hero piece and a somewhat strained role for Orson Welles directing himself. Rated: 3/5 Jul 31, 2025 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Welles sears his film's place in our minds because he refuses to reduce Nazis to cartoonish movie villains; he reminds us that his story has a potent reality, and he forces us to see it. Rated: 4/4 Feb 26, 2022 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Propelled by its intriguing, Oscar-nominated story. Rated: 3/4 Feb 19, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Craig W Myah, see! Film Noir see! Melodramatic acting see! The (over)acting in movies from 70 years ago don’t hold up that well. The extreme close ups. The cutaways. Screaming and crying. Whoever filmed and whoever lit these scenes should have their union cards confiscated. An okay story. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 06/25/25 Full Review Dallas H Connecticut is not in Argentina! But I still got a kick from watching Orson Welles and Edward G. Robinson do their acting shtick in this post-war drama. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/20/25 Full Review Leaburn O Strange how this was a box office success for Welles when little of his better work was. This is a decent enough noir at first but becomes progressively sillier as we build towards the so ridiculous it’s kind of brilliant ending. Watched on DVD. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 07/05/24 Full Review Paul F An amazing accomplishment for Welles as he made this under the constraints of the studio system. A man who was often at odds with studio heads interference, Welles made this without an all out bruha-ha resulting in having this taken away, reshoots and cutting of the final product. Welles delivers a final product, Wellesian in nature and RKO to it's credit, let him. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/27/24 Full Review r96 s A good movie, albeit one that finishes weaker than it started. I really enjoyed the set up of 'The Stranger', though once the cat is let out the bag events do move along at a notch below. The final 30 feels a little drawn out, admittedly only in a relative sense because it is still perfectly watchable - but I personally wasn't as interested as I was across the opening chunk. There is a commanding showing from Edward G. Robinson, the best of those onscreen for my money. Orson Welles is good too, particularly visually. Loretta Young has a couple of impressive moments in there too, even if her character is quite baffling at times. Billy House stands out in my memory from this too. Taking everything into consideration, this 1946 picture is one I'd recommend; even if my feelings post-watch are of wanting more from it. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 05/23/24 Full Review Steve D Nothing new here but it works. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/29/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Orson Welles

Director

Edward G. Robinson

Mr. Wilson

Orson Welles

Professor Charles Rankin

Loretta Young

Mary Longstreet

Richard Long

Noah Longstreet

Martha Wentworth

Sara

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The Stranger

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Movie Info

Synopsis Immediately following World War II, ex-Nazi Franz Kindler (Orson Welles) is living under a false identity as a teacher in a small Connecticut town, and has even married the headmaster's daughter (Loretta Young) as part of his cover. But when one of Kindler's old German associates (Konstantin Shayne) arrives unexpectedly in town, bringing in his wake a sly federal investigator (Edward G. Robinson), Kindler resorts to desperate measures to preserve his secret.
Director
Orson Welles
Producer
Sam P. Eagle
Distributor
RKO Radio Pictures
Production Co
RKO Pictures
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 25, 1946, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 16, 2008
Runtime
1h 35m
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