Wait Until Dark

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Wait Until Dark

Released Oct 26, 1967

1h 48m

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

96%

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27 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

After a flight back home, Sam Hendrix (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) returns with a doll he innocently acquired along the way. As it turns out, the doll is actually stuffed with heroin, and a group of criminals led by the ruthless Roat (Alan Arkin) has followed Hendrix back to his place to retrieve it. When Hendrix leaves for business, the crooks make their move -- and find his blind wife, Susy (Audrey Hepburn), alone in the apartment. Soon, a life-threatening game begins between Susy and the thugs.

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Critics Consensus

Nail-bitingly tense and brilliantly acted, Wait Until Dark is a compact thriller that makes the most of its fiendishly clever premise.

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

This 1967 thriller draws its effectiveness less from the intelligence of the direction (by Terence Young) than from the unbridled sadism of the concept.

Jun 18, 2019

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Eric Henderson

Slant Magazine

Wait Until Dark, Frederick Knott's gimmicky stage play about a blind woman terrorized by crooks, was brought to the screen in 1967 and was accompanied by an even more outlandish gimmick.

Aug 11, 2003

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Trace Thurman

Horror Queers Podcast

Terence Young's claustrophobic thriller is as tense as can be thanks to a terrifying performance from Alan Arkin.

Rated: 4.5/5

May 13, 2024

Full Review

Joe Lipsett

Horror Queers Podcast

Audrey Hepburn may have "cripped" up for her Oscar nominated role, but Suzy is still a great character. It's Arkin who steals the show as the slick villain, though, and that iconic jump scare remains every bit as effective now as it was in 1967.

Rated: 4/5

May 8, 2024

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

The action is kept fluid and the suspense tight.

Rated: 3.5/4

Dec 30, 2022

Full Review

James Clayton

Birmingham Post

It starts slowly but gathers pace with a compelling momentum that builds to a climax of great tension. Fine entertainment, but if you have a nervous disposition, keep away.

Mar 4, 2022

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Jay W

Audrey Hepburn plays Susy Hendrix, a blind woman who finds herself unwittingly in the middle of an elaborate drug smuggling scheme. The movie begins with people hiding drugs inside a doll. The doll finds itself in possession of the Hendrix family who are unaware of its significance. 3 Men then conspire to steal the doll from the blind lady and are willing to do whatever it takes to get that doll. Terrance Young, best known for his Bond films, directs a very tense and tightly written thriller. By today's standards the film may seem slow paced. The movie does take some time to get going but give it some time. This movie is a great example of setup and payoff. You may not see it coming, but when it comes it is great.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/20/24

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Michael G

Would it be a downer to suggest locking the door?

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/01/24

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Berkcan S

It is really frustrating. It is like a play. Many things happens off screen. All we get is expiation

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/21/24

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Pamela S

Excellent nail-biting suspense. I saw this as a kid when it first came out, and I still watch it each time it pops up on TCM. The cast is a great mix of seasoned actors; Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Audrey Hepburn, (she plays the main character in the movie, and outperforms everyone), Alan Arkin, Richard Crenna, more. No gore, just great suspense. Yes, I know how it's going to end each time I watch it, but I still look forward to it each time! I'm also an Aubrey Hepburn fan and love most of her movies, with this one showing her great acting talent.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/17/24

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Alec B

Hepburn makes this thing work. Arkin is a compelling villain to be sure but without her incomparable screen presence the audience would not be invested.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/28/24

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Thomas R

Felt like a Made for Tv movie. Alan Arkin was not believable as a villain. His acting didn't live up to his Catch -22 or "The In-Laws" performances.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/14/23

Full Review

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Terence Young

Director

Audrey Hepburn

Susy Hendrix

Alan Arkin

Roat

Richard Crenna

Mike Talman

Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

Sam Hendrix

Jack Weston

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Synopsis

After a flight back home, Sam Hendrix (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) returns with a doll he innocently acquired along the way. As it turns out, the doll is actually stuffed with heroin, and a group of criminals led by the ruthless Roat (Alan Arkin) has followed Hendrix back to his place to retrieve it. When Hendrix leaves for business, the crooks make their move -- and find his blind wife, Susy (Audrey Hepburn), alone in the apartment. Soon, a life-threatening game begins between Susy and the thugs.

Director: Terence Young
Producer: Mel Ferrer
Screenwriter: Frederick Knott, Robert Howard-Carrington, Jane Howard-Carrington
Production Co: Warner Brothers
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 26, 1967, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Runtime: 1h 48m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Flat (1.85:1)

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