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Diabolique
Les Diaboliques
1955 118 min France 16+
★8.1
Thriller, Mystery
Director: Henri-Georges Clouzot
📖 Based on the novel
«She Who Was No More»
byBoileau-Narcejac
Trailers
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Description
The cruel and abusive headmaster of a boarding school, Michel Delassalle, is murdered by an unlikely duo -- his meek wife and the mistress he brazenly flaunts. The women become increasingly unhinged by a series of odd occurrences after Delassalle's corpse mysteriously disappears.
Starring
Simone Signoret
Actor
Véra Clouzot
Actor
Paul Meurisse
Actor
Awards
5 wins total
Key opinion
Les Diaboliques is widely regarded as a masterful psychological thriller that defined the genre through its masterful suspense and enduring influence on cinema. While critics debate the predictability of its twists, the film is universally praised for its atmospheric tension and strong lead performances.
| Direction | Henri-Georges Clouzot’s direction creates a masterclass in psychological suspense that maintains its impact decades later. | |
| Acting | The performances by Simone Signoret and Véra Clouzot provide a compelling anchor for the film's tense, noir-inspired narrative. | |
| Cinematography | The film's black-and-white cinematography is essential to building an oppressive, menacing atmosphere throughout the boarding-school setting. | |
| Ending | The narrative structure and iconic plot twists remain fresh and influential, though some viewers may find the resolution predictable upon a second viewing. | |
| Pacing | While most viewers appreciate the slow-burn suspense, some find the methodical pace to be either a highlight of the tension or a hindrance to the film's momentum. |