Frenzy

R

Released Jun 21, 1972

1 hr. 56 min.

Mystery & Thriller

List

91%

44 Reviews

Tomatometer

78%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

London is held in the grip of a serial killer whose modus operandi is to murder his victims by strangling them with a necktie. When short-tempered ex-Royal Air Force officer Richard Blaney (Jon Finch) discovers his ex-wife (Barbara Leigh-Hunt) murdered, Blaney becomes a suspect. Forced to go on the run, Blaney attempts to take refuge with his best friend, fruit merchant Bob Rusk (Barry Foster), however Rusk may, in fact, be the necktie murderer himself.

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Critics Consensus

Marking Alfred Hitchcock's return to England and first foray into viscerally explicit carnage, Frenzy finds the master of horror regaining his grip on the audience's pulse -- and making their blood run cold.

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Alec B

Perhaps the only time Hitchcock was able to go as far as he wanted. That being said the reason to see this is for Shaffer's darkly witty screenplay.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/09/24

Full Review

Pam B

Not quite up to the standards of his masterpieces but wonderful to see a quality Hitchcock I hadn't seen before!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/15/23

Full Review

Josh G

A dark and forbidding tone of Hitchcock bringing the wrong man thriller into the 1970's. It has style and presence with an excellent cast lead by Barry Foster. The Score leads a simply but effect suspenseful film and climaxes in satisfy conclusion. This is the way to make a 70's thriller from the old guard.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/07/23

Full Review

isla s

A depressing film about a guy who strangles women and frames someone else for it. I didn't really feel we got much of an explanation for why the culprit did what he did...it's not what I'd consider one of Hitchcock's better films. I think its one of his last ones, dating from the 1970s I believe. I wouldn't particularly recommend it, no.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Manny P

So , it's 50 years ago and this movie put's all the wannabe's to bed. Modern filmmakers and producers need a wake up.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/07/22

Full Review

Audience Member

There's a necktie killer on the loose in the city of London but who could it be? Everyone's in a frenzy thanks to the master of suspense himself, the late Alfred Hitchcock The body of a woman is found in the Thames river The short-tempered ex-Royal Air Force officer Richard Blaney (Jon Finch) discovers his ex-wife (Barbara Leigh-Hunt) murdered, Blaney becomes a suspect Forced to go on the run, Blaney attempts to take refuge with his best friend, fruit merchant Bob Rusk (Barry Foster), however Rusk may, in fact, be the necktie murderer himself Who knows for sure... A love letter to Hitchcock's home for sure--it's riddled with violent sexual fantasies, misogyny and grotesque greed It arguably gives a more tangible insight into the thoughts and desires of one of the most lauded directors of all time Certainly uncomfortable and has 'odd peculiarities' Yeah this didn't need to be 2 hours and could've used more solid thrills I think it was a mistake to show the killer way too early The suspense is still working though and that ending leaves quite the punch Very unsettling in this filmmaker's collection but has typical grim comedy and insight into a psychopathic killer's mind Maybe it could've moved more swiftly but Hitchcock coming home serves him well

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

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Alfred Hitchcock

Director

Jon Finch

Richard Ian Blaney

Barry Foster

Robert Rusk

Barbara Leigh-Hunt

Brenda Margaret Blaney

Anna Massey

Barbara Jane "Babs" Milligan

Alec McCowen

Chief Inspector Oxford

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Penelope Gilliatt

New Yorker

There is also a sort of sabertoothed gentility that [Hitchcock] greatly relishes, and no one else in the commercial cinema uses savage silence so well.

Jan 22, 2024

Full Review

Penelope Houston

Sight & Sound

Once a Londoner, always a Londoner. Hitchcock's return to home ground, twenty-two years after Stage Fright, is a remarkable performance in most senses of the word.

May 13, 2020

Full Review

TIME Staff

TIME Magazine

In case there was any doubt, back in the dim days of Marnie and Topaz, Hitchcock is still in fine form. Frenzy is the dazzling proof.

May 13, 2020

Full Review

Howard Waldstein

CBR

Frenzy is, pound for pound, one of the auteur's greatest achievements.

Jul 18, 2023

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Somewhat lacking for Hitchcock, despite its fascinating deviations from his usual projects.

Rated: 8/10

Aug 29, 2020

Full Review

Michael J. Casey

Boulder Weekly

Hitchcock's most graphic film is also his most unsettling.

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 1, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

London is held in the grip of a serial killer whose modus operandi is to murder his victims by strangling them with a necktie. When short-tempered ex-Royal Air Force officer Richard Blaney (Jon Finch) discovers his ex-wife (Barbara Leigh-Hunt) murdered, Blaney becomes a suspect. Forced to go on the run, Blaney attempts to take refuge with his best friend, fruit merchant Bob Rusk (Barry Foster), however Rusk may, in fact, be the necktie murderer himself.

Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Screenwriter: Arthur La Bern, Anthony Shaffer
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 21, 1972, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 5, 2016
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

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