Diabolique

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Diabolique

Released Jan 29, 1955

1h 56m

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

Horror

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Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

88 Reviews

93%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

In this classic of French suspense, the cruel and abusive headmaster of a boarding school, Michel Delassalle (Paul Meurisse), becomes the target of a murder plot hatched by an unlikely duo -- his meek wife (Vera Clouzot) and the mistress he brazenly flaunts (Simone Signoret). The women, brought together by their mutual hatred for the man, pull off the crime but become increasingly unhinged by a series of odd occurrences after Delassalle's corpse mysteriously disappears.

Critics Consensus

Cruel, dark, but undeniably effective, Diabolique is a suspense thriller as effective as Hitchcock's best work and with a brilliant twist ending.

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Ann Jones

Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com

Hitchcock, even in his earlier and rougher days, never turned out a movie of such diabolical proportions.

Jan 31, 2023

Full Review

Helen Bower

Detroit Free Press

Diabolique is a devilishly good movie, real cool for hot weather.

Jan 31, 2023

Full Review

Marjory Adams

Boston Globe

Don't sell Diabolique short, because it has the most shocking sequences you've ever seen on the screen.

Jan 31, 2023

Full Review

Diana Tuova

Spotlight on Film

A true classic in the suspenseful thriller/horror genre, with a twist “to die for”.

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 4, 2024

Full Review

Raquel Stecher

The Movie Palace Podcast

Diabolique is a work of art... the personification of anxiety.

Feb 26, 2024

Full Review

Howard Waldstein

CBR

The story is simple, but executed perfectly...

Jun 27, 2023

Full Review

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Marcelo oliveira c

Definitivamente um clássico do terror pscológico, uma obra prima conceitual. Adoro a estética desse filme, ele guarda um dos finais mais impressionantes que já vi em algumas obras.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/30/24

Full Review

Damian M

This is a top notch thriller, executed perfectly. Loved this vignette, the mystery had me racking my brain, and the cast was great.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/23/24

Full Review

Illem L

As good as they come, one of the best thrillers ever made. Incredible build up and payoff, with excellence in every scene. Clouzot was a master.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/05/24

Full Review

Stephen H

So damn good. Really surprised. Watched it for a class in college. Just wow.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/27/24

Full Review

Terry S

Still as effective and exciting as it was when it was filmed !

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/05/24

Full Review

Rick G

Like a fine French wine, this film has aged so well!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/17/23

Full Review

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Henri-Georges Clouzot

Director

Simone Signoret

Nicole Horner

Véra Clouzot

Christina Delassalle

Paul Meurisse

Michel Delasalle

Charles Vanel

Alfred Fichet, private detective

Jean Brochard

Plantiveau, the groundsman

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Synopsis

In this classic of French suspense, the cruel and abusive headmaster of a boarding school, Michel Delassalle (Paul Meurisse), becomes the target of a murder plot hatched by an unlikely duo -- his meek wife (Vera Clouzot) and the mistress he brazenly flaunts (Simone Signoret). The women, brought together by their mutual hatred for the man, pull off the crime but become increasingly unhinged by a series of odd occurrences after Delassalle's corpse mysteriously disappears.

Director: Henri-Georges Clouzot
Producer: Henri-Georges Clouzot
Screenwriter: Pierre Boileau, Henri-Georges Clouzot, Jérôme Géronimi, Frédéric Grendel, Rene Masson, Thomas Narcejac
Distributor: Something Weird Video, Criterion Collection, Criterion Pictures
Production Co: Filmsonor, Vera Films
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama, Horror
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 29, 1955, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 19, 2017
Runtime: 1h 56m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1), 35mm

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