Eyes Without a Face

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Eyes Without a Face

1962

1h 30m

Horror

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

61 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Dr. Génessier (Pierre Brasseur) is riddled with guilt after an accident that he caused disfigures the face of his daughter, the once beautiful Christiane (Edith Scob), who outsiders believe is dead. Dr. Génessier, along with accomplice and laboratory assistant Louise (Alida Valli), kidnaps young women and brings them to the Génessier mansion. After rendering his victims unconscious, Dr. Génessier removes their faces and attempts to graft them on to Christiane's.

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Critics Consensus

A horrific tale of guilt and obsession, Eyes Without a Face is just as chilling and poetic today as it was when it was first released.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

Oct 17

5/5

Directed by Georges Franju, the film remains a minor wonder, simultaneously creepy and moving.

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Michael Wilmington

Chicago Tribune

10/14/2014

3.5/4

Eyes Without a Face is a perfect example of how cinematic poetry can transform a seemingly disreputable movie genre.

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Scott Tobias

The Dissolve

10/14/2013

5/5

Eyes Without A Face is a classic anomaly, out of step with its time (and any other), with mysteries that lingered long enough for critics finally to be intoxicated by them.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 16

3/4

A terror tale that's as poetic as it is horrific.

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Bianca Garner

Filmotomy

10/03/2024

Shot in crisp black and white, Eyes Without a Face is a gothic fairytale, crossed between a film noir with a good old dash of psychological horror thrown in. More importantly, it’s not like anything that had come before it and it still stands up today.

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Penelope Gilliatt

Observer (UK)

02/20/2024

The whole film has a ghastly elegance that often suggests Tennessee Williams in one of his more aberrant moods.

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Katie S

@RT24316975 May 24

That face surgery made me more nauseous than Face/Off ever could....and that was in color! 🤢 A little too convincing. Heck of a movie though

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Kirk P

@KirkShameless Mar 6

Truly horrifying movie that was clearly highly influential in the genre. Would score it higher but it's one of those foreign movies you have to read subtitles for 2 hours to watch.

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Lars N

@movie_douche Oct 28

At times gruesome, at times tender. Unfortunately it can also, at times be pretty long winded.

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Isaiah Y

@zayman2 Oct 22

Entertaining Horror Classic

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Christian K

@ckacar Oct 14

Enjoyed the concept and a strong visual style for the era. But performances and dialogue leave a lot to be desired here.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 07/04/2025

Successful horror movie in 1.5 hours.

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Georges Franju

Director

Pierre Brasseur

Doctor Génessier

Alida Valli

Louise

Edith Scob

Christiane Genessier

Juliette Mayniel

Edna Grüber

François Guérin

Jacques Vernon

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Synopsis

Dr. Génessier (Pierre Brasseur) is riddled with guilt after an accident that he caused disfigures the face of his daughter, the once beautiful Christiane (Edith Scob), who outsiders believe is dead. Dr. Génessier, along with accomplice and laboratory assistant Louise (Alida Valli), kidnaps young women and brings them to the Génessier mansion. After rendering his victims unconscious, Dr. Génessier removes their faces and attempts to graft them on to Christiane's.

Director: Georges Franju
Producer: Jules Borkon
Screenwriter: Pierre Boileau, Pierre Gascar, Thomas Narcejac, Jean Redon, Claude Sautet
Distributor: United Artists, Lopert Pictures Corp., Rialto Pictures
Production Co: Lux Film S.p.a., Champs-Élysées Production
Genre: Horror, Drama
Original Language: Canadian French
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 31, 1962, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 29, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $52.7K
Runtime: 1h 30m