The Stranger

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The Stranger

Released May 25, 1946

1h 35m

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

97%

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32 Reviews

81%

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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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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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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

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Jack D. Grant

The Hollywood Reporter

The creators of this one deserve their acclaim.

Jul 4, 2022

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TIME Magazine

Adroitly directed by Orson Welles, who also plays the star, it is a grade A gooseflesh-raiser.

Mar 12, 2013

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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

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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

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Propelled by its intriguing, Oscar-nominated story.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 19, 2021

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Steve D

Nothing new here but it works.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/29/24

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Orson Welles

Director

Edward G. Robinson

Mr. Wilson

Orson Welles

Professor Charles Rankin

Loretta Young

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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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