Vertigo

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Vertigo

PG

Released May 9, 1958

2h 8m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

95 Reviews

92%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Hitchcock's romantic story of obsession, manipulation and fear. A detective is forced to retire after his fear of heights causes the death of a fellow officer and the girl he was hired to follow. He sees a double of the girl, causing him to transform her image onto the dead girl's body. This leads into a cycle of madness and lies.

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Critics Consensus

An unpredictable scary thriller that doubles as a mournful meditation on love, loss, and human comfort.

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Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

Once it switches over to us getting inside her head... I started seeing it more as Judy's story than Scottie's.

Rated: 4.5/5

Feb 9, 2024

Full Review

Jack Moffitt

The Hollywood Reporter

Alfred Hitchcock tops his own fabulous record for suspense with Vertigo, a super-tale of murder, madness and mysticism that stars James Stewart and Kim Novak.

May 13, 2022

Full Review

Deborah Ross

The Spectator

The storytelling isn't up to much. It drags and drags.

May 18, 2020

Full Review

Joseph Tomastik

Loud and Clear Reviews

It may take a while to work up to its thriller elements, but it 100% earns its right to be called a thriller, and one of the best, most understated, and ingenious of all time at that.

Rated: 5/5

Oct 5, 2024

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Tom Hutchinson

Radio Times

This remains one of the most painful depictions of romantic fatalism in all of cinema.

Rated: 5/5

Sep 6, 2024

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Sebastian Zavala Kahn

Me gusta el cine

It's a product of its time (especially when it comes to the treatment of the female characters), and it's not trying to be just a thriller. Rather, it is a story about a doomed romance that turns into a dangerous obsession. Full review in Spanish.

Rated: 4.5/5

Apr 17, 2023

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darlene r

That ending! Didnt expect that. Otherwise loved the acting and the location shots. Very interesting story

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/15/24

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Johannes S

All-time classic thriller.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/19/24

Full Review

Dan R

1958's 'Vertigo' saw Hitchcock produce an exceptional thriller but also a deeper and darker look at love, loss and human comfort. SYNOPSIS: 'A former San Francisco police detective juggles wrestling with his personal demons and becoming obsessed with the hauntingly beautiful woman he has been hired to trail, who may be deeply disturbed.' The film is one of Hitchcock's most lauded movies even though it wasn't very popular on its release. It's a gorgeous looking film, like an artist's masterpiece, which focuses on one man's obsession of the woman he's supposed to be investigating. Not only does Hitchcock demonstrate a total mastery of cinematic point-of-view, but he turns what might have been a boring crime caper into film poetry. Stewart and Novak are just perfect in their roles. Their chemistry is electrifying. A perfect movie. 10/10

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/07/24

Full Review

Garrett B

It is an amazing mystery thriller with top notch performances from Stewart and Novak

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/30/24

Full Review

David S

Extremely well made film that journeys into depressing territories for the two leads involved when you really think about it- no more no less....

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/28/24

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Micah H

I could feel the firm grip of masterpiece in every moment of this film. Top tier emotional suspense.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/26/24

Full Review

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Alfred Hitchcock

Director

James Stewart

John "Scottie" Ferguson

Kim Novak

Madeleine Elster

Barbara Bel Geddes

Midge Wood

Tom Helmore

Gavin Elster

Henry Jones

Coroner

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Vertigo: Official Clip - Visiting the Past

3:13

Vertigo: Official Clip - Judy Becomes Madeleine

2:13

Vertigo: Official Clip - Judy Jumps

2:03

Vertigo: Official Clip - Don't Let Me Go

2:03

Vertigo: Official Clip - Officer Down

1:36

Vertigo: Official Clip - Scottie's Nightmare

1:28

Vertigo: Official Clip - The Bell Tower

2:22

Vertigo: Official Clip - Uncanny Resemblance

1:56

Vertigo: Official Clip - Wandering Together

2:18

Vertigo: Official Clip - Saving Madeleine

2:12

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Synopsis

Hitchcock's romantic story of obsession, manipulation and fear. A detective is forced to retire after his fear of heights causes the death of a fellow officer and the girl he was hired to follow. He sees a double of the girl, causing him to transform her image onto the dead girl's body. This leads into a cycle of madness and lies.

Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Producer: Alfred Hitchcock
Screenwriter: Pierre Boileau, Thomas Narcejac, Samuel A. Taylor, Alec Coppel
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Alfred J. Hitchcock Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 9, 1958, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Oct 4, 1996
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 2, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.8M
Runtime: 2h 8m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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