Diabolique (Les diaboliques, The Evil Ones) (1955)

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die (1001 items)
list by upidipi

History of Horror (3743 items)
list by diabolical dr voodoo

The Most Iconic Images in Cinema History (128 items)
list by propelas

500 Essential Cult Movies (502 items)
list by Mackenzi

Listal's Esoteric Films (535 items)
list by Mr. Saturn

Since I kept hearing some great things about this flick, I was really eager to check it out. Eventually, I was really impressed by the damned thing and I think it completely deserves its stellar reputation. Apparently, back in those days, the biggest rival to Alfred Hitchcock was the French director, Henri-George Clouzot. They were actually both competing to make this movie but, eventually, Clouzo... read more

Clouzot directs with a cruelty that combines a nastily tangled storyline worthy of Hitchcock with three strong performances (one of which is the beautiful Simone Signoret) and a seedy setting.
There are scenes of physical horror, but Clouzot also sets the flesh creeping with incidences of ordinary nastiness.


The remake with Isabelle Adjani, Chazz Palminteri and Sharon... read more

Stark, impressionistic photography and a suspenseful, decidedly baroque plot combine to elevate this horror-tinged thriller above the commonplace potboiler fare of the time. "Diabolique" is tonally reminiscent of Hitchcock, albeit more effectively woven with an unmistakable noirish streak. Henri-Georges Clouzot's ingenious direction is conversely realistic and expressionistic, catalysing its drama... read more

The wife of a cruel headmaster and his mistress conspire to kill him, but after the murder is committed, his body disappears, and strange events begin to plague the two women.