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Obsession

Obsession

Thriller · Crime · 1949

A British psychiatrist devises a devilish revenge plot against his wife's lover.

Movie details

Obsession

“Hidden love! Hidden hate! Hidden fear!”

1949 Thriller · Crime 1h 36m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.8 / 10

Community rating

A British psychiatrist devises a devilish revenge plot against his wife's lover.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Obsession?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

The Killer Is Loose

The Killer Is Loose

Crime · 1956

A savings-and-loan bank is robbed; later, a police wiretap identifies meek bank teller Leon Poole as the inside man. In capturing him, detective Sam Wagner accidentally kills Poole's young wife, and at his trial Poole swears vengeance against Wagner. Poole begins his plans to get revenge when he escapes his captors.

Crime Wave

Crime Wave

Crime · 1953

Reformed parolee Steve Lacey is caught in the middle when a wounded former cellmate seeks him out for shelter. The other two former cellmates then attempt to force him into doing a bank job.

Ministry of Fear

Ministry of Fear

Crime · 1944

Stephen Neale is released into WWII England after two years in an asylum, but it doesn't seem so sane outside either. On his way back to London to rejoin civilization, he stumbles across a murderous spy ring and doesn't quite know to whom to turn.

The Maltese Falcon

The Maltese Falcon

Mystery · 1941

A private detective takes on a case that involves him with three eccentric criminals, a beautiful liar, and their quest for a priceless statuette.

The Seven-Ups

The Seven-Ups

Thriller · 1973

A tough detective who is part of an elite New York City unit is trying to find out who killed his partner, but uncovers a plot to kidnap mobsters for money.

The Stranger

The Stranger

Thriller · 2022

Two strangers strike up a conversation on a long journey. However, neither is who they appear to be, each carry secrets that threaten to ruin them — and in the background, one of the nation's largest police operations is closing in.

Killer's Kiss

Killer's Kiss

Thriller · 1955

Davey Gordon, a New York City boxer at the end of his career, falls for dancer Gloria Price. However, their budding relationship is interrupted by Gloria's violent boss, Vincent Rapallo, who has eyes for Gloria. The two decide to skip town, but before they can, Vincent and his thugs abduct Gloria, and Davey is forced to search for her among the most squalid corners of the city, with his enemy hiding in the shadows.

Insomnia

Insomnia

Thriller · 2002

Two Los Angeles homicide detectives are dispatched to a northern town where the sun doesn't set to investigate the methodical murder of a local teen.

The Rainmaker

The Rainmaker

Drama · 1997

Fresh out of law school and desperate for work, idealistic rookie Rudy Baylor takes on a powerful insurance company accused of denying a dying boy’s claim. Teaming up with a scrappy, unlicensed paralegal, he finds himself in a David-versus-Goliath courtroom battle that tests his ethics, courage, and belief in justice.

Footsteps in the Fog

Footsteps in the Fog

Thriller · 1955

A Victorian-era murder mystery about a parlour maid who discovers that her employer may have killed his first wife.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Edward Dmytryk

Written by

Alec Coppel

Robert Newton

Robert Newton

Dr. Clive Riordan

Phil Brown

Phil Brown

Bill Kronin

Sally Gray

Sally Gray

Storm Riordan

Naunton Wayne

Naunton Wayne

Supt. Finsbury

James Harcourt

James Harcourt

Aitkin (butler)

Betty Cooper

Betty Cooper

Miss Stevens (receptionist)

Allan Jeayes

Allan Jeayes

The Colonel, blustery club member

Court is in session

Put Obsession on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Big-Idea Head

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.