Touch of Evil

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Touch of Evil

1958

1h 35m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

85 Reviews

92%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

When a car bomb explodes on the American side of the U.S./Mexico border, Mexican drug enforcement agent Miguel Vargas (Charlton Heston) begins his investigation, along with American police captain Hank Quinlan (Orson Welles). When Vargas begins to suspect that Quinlan and his shady partner, Menzies (Joseph Calleia), are planting evidence to frame an innocent man, his investigations into their possible corruption quickly put himself and his new bride, Susie (Janet Leigh), in jeopardy.

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Critics Consensus

Artistically innovative and emotionally gripping, Orson Welles' classic noir is a visual treat, as well as a dark, sinister thriller.

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Fred Camper

Chicago Reader

But as masterful as Welles’s filming is, what makes Touch of Evil a staggering masterpiece is the global quality of his style...

Rated: 4/4

Jun 16, 2022

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Budd Wilkins

Slant Magazine

Classic film noirs epitome and epitaph, Orson Welless Touch of Evil gets a stunning new UHD upgrade from Kino Lorber.

Apr 25, 2022

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Xan Brooks

Independent (UK)

Citizen Kane may be the more weighty, rounded work, but Touch of Evil is a heap more fun.

Rated: 5/5

Mar 20, 2019

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

It's a full toybox, or candy box, fattening and immensely pleasurable.

Rated: A+

Nov 29, 2022

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

The film noir genre's visual style has Touch of Evil to thank for its contributions in sound and cinematography as Orson Welles and Russell Metty are a match made in heaven.

Rated: 4.5/5

Nov 14, 2022

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

“Touch of Evil” is a movie filled with craft and vision.

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 27, 2022

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Mike C

Like Dickens' greatest stories, the flaws of this film are on the same epic scale as the crystal, but you forgive the flaws, crystal is eternally crystal

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/06/25

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John S

I watched the re-edited version of this film and although beautiful to look at, I found it lacking on many levels. This first viewing left me feeling like the popularity of this film is based on how pretty it is, while ignoring huge flaws and very strange performance choices. Perhaps the theatrical version is a better piece(?). The version I watched was an hour and 50 minutes. The opening scene gave me so much hope for a thrilling, suspenseful story but... it vamped and sympathy-proofed itself downhill from there. The reveal of the true villain of this film is not entirely obvious (a plus) but neither is it terribly surprising given the observable behavior of the "evil" touching everything. Like I said "beautiful", but really flawed.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

07/05/25

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Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 35 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/08/25

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Georgan G

Wow, what a great film noir. The plot is unique, the acting very well done and the cinematography simply superb.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/13/25

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William B

Great movie. Interesting plot.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/18/24

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Micah H

An extremely overrated technical masterpiece. However, despite groundbreaking cinematography, the story has hollow moments and not many of the essential characters are well developed.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/27/24

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Orson Welles

Director

Charlton Heston

Ramon Miguel "Mike" Vargas

Orson Welles

Police Captain Hank Quinlan

Janet Leigh

Susan "Susie" Vargas

Joseph Calleia

Police Sergeant Pete Menzies

Akim Tamiroff

Uncle Joe Grandi

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Synopsis

When a car bomb explodes on the American side of the U.S./Mexico border, Mexican drug enforcement agent Miguel Vargas (Charlton Heston) begins his investigation, along with American police captain Hank Quinlan (Orson Welles). When Vargas begins to suspect that Quinlan and his shady partner, Menzies (Joseph Calleia), are planting evidence to frame an innocent man, his investigations into their possible corruption quickly put himself and his new bride, Susie (Janet Leigh), in jeopardy.

Director: Orson Welles
Producer: Albert Zugsmith
Screenwriter: Orson Welles, Paul Monash, Franklin Coen
Production Co: Universal Pictures, Universal International Pictures
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 18, 2014
Runtime: 1h 35m

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