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Clash by Night
1952 105 min United States of America 16+
★6.9
Drama, Romance
Director: Fritz Lang
Trailers
EN
Teaser
Description
An embittered woman seeks escape in marriage, only to fall for her husband’s best friend.
Starring
Barbara Stanwyck
Actor
Robert Ryan
Actor
Paul Douglas
Actor
Awards
3 wins total
Key opinion
Clash by Night is a gritty, realistic psychological drama centered on a weary woman's struggle to find contentment in her hometown. While the film is praised for its authentic performances and atmospheric cinematography, viewers remain divided on whether its narrative leans toward insightful character study or soap-opera melodrama.
| Acting | Barbara Stanwyck anchors the film with a compelling and raw performance as a woman haunted by her own wasted youth and disillusionment. | |
| Cinematography | Nicholas Musuraca’s atmospheric, noir-influenced cinematography effectively captures the coastal setting and enhances the film’s grounded realism. | |
| Acting | Marilyn Monroe delivers a competent and promising performance that marks a significant step in her early career, despite some opinions that she is overshadowed by the leads. | |
| Acting | Paul Douglas provides a deeply natural and convincing portrayal of a simple, devoted husband, though some critics find his performance histrionic. | |
| Screenplay | While some viewers appreciate the film as a stripped-down psychological study, others find the narrative contrived and leaning toward overwrought melodrama. |