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The Maltese Falcon

The Maltese Falcon

Mystery · Crime · Thriller · 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.

Movie details

The Maltese Falcon

“He's a Killer When He Hates!”

1941 Mystery · Crime · Thriller 1h 40m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.7 / 10

Community rating

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

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 The Maltese Falcon?

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 Pearl of Death

The Pearl of Death

Thriller · 1944

The famous Borgia Pearl, a valuable gem with a history of bringing murder and misfortune to its owner since the days of the Borgias, is brought to London, thanks in part to Sherlock Holmes. But before long the jewel is stolen, due to an error on Holmes' part, and shortly thereafter, a series of horrible murders begin, the murderer leaving his victims with their spines snapped and surrounded by a mass of smashed china.

Dark Passage

Dark Passage

Thriller · 1947

A man convicted of murdering his wife escapes from prison and works with a woman to try and prove his innocence.

Woman on the Run

Woman on the Run

Thriller · 1950

Frank Johnson, a sole witness to a gangland murder, goes into hiding and is trailed by Police Inspector Ferris, on the theory that Frank is trying to escape from possible retaliation. Frank's wife, Eleanor, suspects he is actually running away from their unsuccessful marriage. Aided by a newspaperman, Danny Leggett, Eleanor sets out to locate her husband. The killer is also looking for him, and keeps close tabs on Eleanor.

The Glass Key

The Glass Key

Crime · 1942

A crooked politician finds himself being accused of murder by a gangster from whom he refused help during a re-election campaign.

Murder Most Foul

Murder Most Foul

Comedy · 1964

A murderer is brought to court and only Miss Marple is unconvinced of his guilt. Once again she begins her own investigation.

Islands

Islands

Thriller · 2025

In this twisty thriller, a tennis coach at a tropical resort finds himself at the center of a missing persons mystery. Tom teaches tennis during the day and parties at night. When an enigmatic tourist arrives, Tom is unable to shake the feeling he has met her before. Tension and attraction grow, until her husband disappears, and the police suspect Tom.

Appointment with Death

Appointment with Death

Thriller · 1988

Emily Boynton, the stepmother to three children, blackmails the family lawyer into destroying a second will of her late husband that would have freed the children from her dominating influence. She takes herself, the children, and her daughter-in-law on holiday to Europe and the Holy Land. At a dig, Emily is found dead and Hercule Poirot investigates.

Strangers on a Train

Strangers on a Train

Crime · 1951

A charming psychopath tries to coerce a tennis star into his theory that two strangers can commit the perfect crime by exchanging murders—each killing the other’s most-hated person.

Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie

Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie

Comedy · 2023

Monk steps out of retirement as his stepdaughter's wedding turns tragic when her fiancé dies in a bungee jumping accident.

The Mirror Crack'd

The Mirror Crack'd

Mystery · 1980

Jane Marple solves the mystery when a local woman is poisoned and a visiting movie star seems to have been the intended victim.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

John Huston

Written by

John Huston

Humphrey Bogart

Humphrey Bogart

Samuel Spade

Mary Astor

Mary Astor

Brigid O'Shaughnessy

Gladys George

Gladys George

Iva Archer

Peter Lorre

Peter Lorre

Joel Cairo

Barton MacLane

Barton MacLane

Lt. of Detectives Dundy

Lee Patrick

Lee Patrick

Effie Perine

Sydney Greenstreet

Sydney Greenstreet

Kasper Gutman

Court is in session

Put The Maltese Falcon 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.