Time: 107 Minutes
Cast:
Simone Signoret as Nicole Horner
Véra Clouzot as Christina Delassalle
Paul Meurisse as Michel Delassalle
Charles Vanel as Alfred Fichet
Director: Henri-Georges Clouzot

I heard about Diabolique (also known as Les Diaboliques), a French horror movie from the 1950s which was known as some classic, but otherwise I knew very little about it. So I went in largely blind, and it turned out to be great. 

The movie starts out as a mystery thriller; it is intricately plotted, the details are laid out well, and even the premise of the murder scheme seems like something you’d see from an Alfred Hitchcock. However, it gradually shifts more into horror as it progresses and it does well at blending these tones and genres together. It is suspenseful throughout, you’re not quite sure which direction it will go in next and has surprising twists and turns. There is a feeling of dread and a real sense of paranoia throughout. The slow pacing works well for this movie, and it concludes with a bleak and thrilling final 10 minutes. 

It is terrifically acted, Véra Clouzot and Simone Signoret particularly deliver fantastic performances, with such great chemistry and tension between the two. 

Henri-Georges Clouzot directed this exceptionally. It has gorgeous cinematography and between the good sets, tight editing, and great atmosphere, it does very well at crafting a gothic nightmare feel. 

Diabolique is a fantastic and atmospheric horror thriller, smartly written, beautifully shot, greatly acted and amazingly directed. It’s ahead of its time and is definitely worth going into blind.