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Diabolique

Mystery & Thriller, Drama, Horror

RatingRatingRatingRatingRating4.8

DirectorHenri-Georges Clouzot

ProducerHenri-Georges Clouzot

ScreenwriterPierre Boileau, Henri-Georges Clouzot, Jérôme Géronimi, Frédéric Grendel, Rene Masson, Thomas Narcejac

DistributorSomething Weird Video, Criterion Collection, Criterion Pictures

Release Date DateJan 29, 1955, Original

LanguageFrench (France)

Runtime1h 56m

Introduction

In this classic of French suspense, the cruel and abusive headmaster of a boarding school, Michel Delassalle (Paul Meurisse), becomes the target of a murder plot hatched by an unlikely duo -- his meek wife (Vera Clouzot) and the mistress he brazenly flaunts (Simone Signoret). The women, brought together by their mutual hatred for the man, pull off the crime but become increasingly unhinged by a series of odd occurrences after Delassalle's corpse mysteriously disappears.

Critics Reviews

Ann Jones4.4

348

Jan 31, 2023
In "Diabolique", the suspense reaches Hitchcockian heights, surpassing even his most intricate plots. The film follows the meek wife and brazen mistress of the abusive headmaster Michel Delassalle as they conspire in his murder. Their carefully laid plans unravel when his body inexplicably vanishes, leading to a cascade of unsettling events. The psychological tension masterfully escalates, setting this French classic apart as a pinnacle of the genre. Hitchcock's early works, though notable, never quite matched the chilling, diabolical finesse achieved here. A must-watch for suspense aficionados seeking a dark and gripping cinematic experience.

Helen Bower4.9

456

Jan 31, 2023
Diabolique is a masterstroke of French suspense that brings chilling relief to hot weather. The story revolves around the abusive boarding school headmaster, Michel Delassalle, whose murder is meticulously plotted by his timid wife and his outspoken mistress. The women, united by their shared hatred, execute the plan perfectly, only to be haunted by bizarre events after Delassalle's body goes missing. The film masterfully balances tension and intrigue, making it a must-watch thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. A devilishly good movie that leaves a lasting impression.
Diabolique
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