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Kim Novak's Vertigo

Play trailer Kim Novak's Vertigo 2025 1h 17m Biography Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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92% Tomatometer 12 Reviews Popcornmeter 0 Ratings
At 92, Kim Novak remains one of Hollywood's most enduring enigmas -- a luminous star who, at the peak of her fame, turned her back on the spotlight to embrace a life of self-expression and authenticity. Once the top box office draw in the world, she rebelled against the studio system and the confines of celebrity, choosing individuality over image, and art over artifice. KIM NOVAK'S VERTIGO is a lyrical and intimate portrait, blending rare archival footage with deeply personal reflections and vivid glimpses into Kim's reclusive life. While Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo remains her most iconic role, the film explores how that performance -- and the duality it captured -- mirrors the ongoing tension between image and identity that shaped Kim's life. As she revisits fragments of her past a deeper story emerges: one of defiance, reinvention, and the quiet power of a woman who walked away from fame to remain true to herself.

Critics Reviews

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Brian Tallerico RogerEbert.com Sep 3
The title is not accidental, and there’s something fascinating about watching a filmmaker who has focused so much on directors embrace the acting process too, especially in the context of a filmmaker who often gets all the credit for his works. Go to Full Review Guy Lodge Variety Sep 2
Slight in some respects, Philippe’s 76-minute film resonates as what is today a vanishingly rare first-hand window into the joys, terrors and vagaries of Hollywood’s golden age. Go to Full Review Glenn Kenny RogerEbert.com Sep 2
Title notwithstanding, this movie treats the whole of Novak’s career; the movies surrounding ‘Vertigo' are brackets. Go to Full Review Sarah Manvel Movies We Texted About Nov 4
Director Alexandre O. Philippe has allowed someone whose image was never in her own control to present herself exactly as she wants. And that’s important and valuable indeed. Go to Full Review James Mottram Radio Times Oct 29
3/5
Philippe is adept at selecting archive footage and with editor David Lawrence slides some lovely clips of Novak into proceedings, confirming what a talent she was. Go to Full Review Damon Wise Deadline Hollywood Daily Sep 30
More importantly, it gives Novak an excuse (she humbly calls it “permission”) to look back on her life and give us her side of the story -- unapologetic and, right from the start, impressively unfiltered. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Cast & Crew

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Alexandre O. Philippe

Director

Kim Novak

Actor

Alexandre O. Philippe

Screenwriter

Terri Piñon

Producer

Alexandre O. Philippe

Producer

Sue Cameron

Executive Producer
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Kim Novak's Vertigo

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Movie Info

Synopsis At 92, Kim Novak remains one of Hollywood's most enduring enigmas -- a luminous star who, at the peak of her fame, turned her back on the spotlight to embrace a life of self-expression and authenticity. Once the top box office draw in the world, she rebelled against the studio system and the confines of celebrity, choosing individuality over image, and art over artifice. KIM NOVAK'S VERTIGO is a lyrical and intimate portrait, blending rare archival footage with deeply personal reflections and vivid glimpses into Kim's reclusive life. While Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo remains her most iconic role, the film explores how that performance -- and the duality it captured -- mirrors the ongoing tension between image and identity that shaped Kim's life. As she revisits fragments of her past a deeper story emerges: one of defiance, reinvention, and the quiet power of a woman who walked away from fame to remain true to herself.
Director
Alexandre O. Philippe
Producer
Terri Piñon, Alexandre O. Philippe
Screenwriter
Alexandre O. Philippe
Genre
Biography, Documentary
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 17m