Touch of Evil

Play trailer

Touch of Evil

1958

1h 35m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

86 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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

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

Rated: A+

Nov 29, 2022

Full Review

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

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

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

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 27, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

William B

Great movie. Interesting plot.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/18/24

Full Review

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

Full Review

Liam D

From the masterful opening shot. This film from Orson Wells is a eerie thriller with great performances and a fantastic story

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/13/24

Full Review

Neal S

A masterpiece. In my opinion surpasses Citizen Kane and Ambersons. Those who say they are bored must be very easily bored. This film is fascinating from beginning to end. The cherry on top of the sundae is Marlene Dietrich. Perfect film.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/16/24

Full Review

Sam G

One of the best films ever made. It's hard to think of much at all that could be improved. It has epic writing, epic performances, an all-star cast, and it's a wicked good time!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/18/24

Full Review

Alec C

Evil has its influence everywhere, even in the eyes of the law! Detective Vargas investigates a car bombing, only to learn that Captain Hank Quinlan plants evidence to get convictions and attempts to frame Vargas for his crimes, spurring a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Dark and dreary, the evil presence is palpable in every scene as it threatens to swallow all of the whole!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/03/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

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

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

The Manchurian Candidate

97%

90%

The Manchurian Candidate

Watchlist

Out of Time

65%

58%

Out of Time

Watchlist

Man on a Ledge

31%

52%

Man on a Ledge

Watchlist

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

7%

36%

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Watchlist

State of Play

84%

73%

State of Play

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Know Your Critic: Christina Newland, Film Critic for The i Newspaper

Video: Wes Bentley’s Five Favorite Films

Charlton Heston’s Most Memorable Performances

View more photos

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

Most Popular at Home Now