Diabolique (Les Diaboliques) (1954)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Reid V

  
  An absolutely stunning cinematic achievement. Clouzot not only unfolds a great mystery before our eyes, but for being over 55 years old it is still more terrifying than anything that the recent spat of modern horror directors could serve up. The story isn't convoluted and there… More
  An absolutely stunning cinematic achievement. Clouzot not only unfolds a great mystery before our eyes, but for being over 55 years old it is still more terrifying than anything that the recent spat of modern horror directors could serve up. The story isn't convoluted and there is a constricted atmosphere that permeates the entire two hours. The camera remarkably serves as the omniscient observer, delightfully teasing the horrors to come. The music isn't leading nor is the editing flashy. Clouzot just makes us wade in the horror and it is riveting. Throw away your Hostel collection and your Nightmare on Elm Street reissues, this is this only thriller you need on your shelf.

• Lady D

  
  Quite a caniving plan for Murder for a film of it's time, told in a very much a Hitchcock fashion. Twists and turns keep this a gripping tale and whilst the start is a little slow, this soon becomes an intriguing story.

• moon r

  
  Overbearing, smug and philandering husband's cruelties forces his wife and his mistress to consider the unthinkable: to team up to off the incorrigible blighter. Only things do not go quite as planned. Poe's "Tell Tale Heart" gets a French update with a twist… More
  Overbearing, smug and philandering husband's cruelties forces his wife and his mistress to consider the unthinkable: to team up to off the incorrigible blighter. Only things do not go quite as planned. Poe's "Tell Tale Heart" gets a French update with a twist that still conveys mood and doom despite so many copycats so as to be cliche anymore.

• Melvin W

  
  Alfred Fichet: To commit suicide in the Seine, one doesn't need to undress. Diabolique is an extrodianary suspense thriller. I guess, at the time when it was made, it could pass for a horror film, but not anymore. That's the only aspect of the movie that disappointed me. I… More
  Alfred Fichet: To commit suicide in the Seine, one doesn't need to undress. Diabolique is an extrodianary suspense thriller. I guess, at the time when it was made, it could pass for a horror film, but not anymore. That's the only aspect of the movie that disappointed me. I thought there would be more horror elements involved, but it's still a solid thriller. The plot is engaging and nearly flawless. The plot revolves around two women who live and work at a boarding school. One, Christina Delasalle is in an unhappy marriage with a man who is horrible to her and cheats on her. The other woman is an unhappy mistress of the husband and now feels disdain for him. The two plan and execute the man's murder to perfection; or so they thought. They soon come to realize that the body isn't where they left it. Thats just the buildup. There's still an hour left in the movie when they realize this. The film boasts a strong plot and strong lead performances. It also contains a major twist at the end that I for one didn't see coming. Diabolique is sure to please suspense-thriller fans.

• Robert C

  
  An amazing film, especially when you take into consideration that it was made in the early fifties. It was well ahead of it's time and different aspects of the story have been "borrowed" so much over the years that it may seem a bit predictable if you don't take… More
  An amazing film, especially when you take into consideration that it was made in the early fifties. It was well ahead of it's time and different aspects of the story have been "borrowed" so much over the years that it may seem a bit predictable if you don't take that into consideration as well. A really enjoyable piece of film making and a definate classic in the suspense/horror genre.

• Tim S

  
  A true classic of the thriller genre. Unfortunately, it's been done so much since then that I saw the ending coming from a mile away. It didn't ruin the film for me, but it's unfortunate that one can't walk into a classic like this fresh. Regardless, it's a… More
  A true classic of the thriller genre. Unfortunately, it's been done so much since then that I saw the ending coming from a mile away. It didn't ruin the film for me, but it's unfortunate that one can't walk into a classic like this fresh. Regardless, it's a masterpiece.

• Chris W

  
  This film (almost) has it all: it's a suspense thriller, a mystery, a domestic (melo)drama, and even a bit of a horror film. It's widely regarded as a classic, and its influence is undeniable. I really, really liked, but didn't quite love this film. I thought i would… More
  This film (almost) has it all: it's a suspense thriller, a mystery, a domestic (melo)drama, and even a bit of a horror film. It's widely regarded as a classic, and its influence is undeniable. I really, really liked, but didn't quite love this film. I thought i would love it, but, alas, I did not. I mostly think it's because I wasn't totally surprised by this film, and it didn't feel totally fresh. Had I seen this when it came out (or had it been the first film I ever saw), I'd probably be singing a slightly more praising tune. This film is still quite excelelnt though, and the twists are really cool. It's like a Hitchcock film, which is definite high praise. Hell, this seems like something he should have done. I guess Clouzot just beat him to the punch. Besides a twisty and well crafted plot, there's a wonderful atmosphere at hand. The film looks gorgeous in black and white, and it adds to the spooky, odd tone of things. The direction is very sharp and lets everything unfold in a deliberate way. I really liked the performances, especially Simone Signoret's. She's fantastic. Definitely check this one out. I was slightly underwhelmed, hence why it doesn't have a full 5 like I thought I might give it. It's still a very amazing film though that is incredibly well done and great at holding one's attention.

• danny d

  
  another clouzot masterpiece, and easily one of the best horror films ever made. today the film plays more like a suspenseful thriller, but the energy and intrigue are as alive today as it seems to have been decades ago. its the final act of the film that moves it from greatness to… More
  another clouzot masterpiece, and easily one of the best horror films ever made. today the film plays more like a suspenseful thriller, but the energy and intrigue are as alive today as it seems to have been decades ago. its the final act of the film that moves it from greatness to something more. this is mystery like we rarely see today, with excellent acting and art direction. many such films are predictable, but this one had me guessing until the very end. a perfect film.

• Randy T

  
  I have to say I saw the ending coming but only because wonderful movies such as this have influenced so many films since. Clouzot seems to know what creeps us all out and uses that to full effect in this film. This is one for every thriller/horror fan's 'must-see' list.

• Saskia D

  
  Rating a movie is difficult, and I usually end up changing the rating after it has had some time to sink in. So this one can go either up or down. It's a Noir, and as you might know by know, not my favorite genre. But the combination of the two women, Vera Clouzot and Simone… More
  Rating a movie is difficult, and I usually end up changing the rating after it has had some time to sink in. So this one can go either up or down. It's a Noir, and as you might know by know, not my favorite genre. But the combination of the two women, Vera Clouzot and Simone Signoret, made it enjoyable to watch. Clouzot is the soft and sensitive one, and Signoret is one tough cookie. Her presence bursts of the screen. The only thing that bothered me a little is the motive. I understood it, but I didn't really feel it, if you know what I mean. <div style="width:600px;"><a href="http://www.flixster.com/photos/simone-signoret-diabolique-les-diaboliques-vra--clouzot--and-simone-signoret-11379860"><img src="http://content6.flixster.com/photo/11/37/98/11379860_gal.jpg" border="0"/></a><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10px;"><a href="http://www.flixster.com">

• Ken S

  
  The film Hitchcock said he wished he had made.

• Pierluigi P

  
  Slightly predictable, but dark and suggestive enough to be considered one of the greatest french thrillers I've ever seen. I'm sure Alfred Hitchcock would have done a better film out of this twisted murder plot, but is not bad at all the way it is.

• Cindy I

  
  A very good film about adultery and betrayal, although no longer the shocker I'm sure it was at the time of its release. The mistress and the wife of an abusive schoolmaster decide to kill him, but things don't go as easily as they had planned.

• Michael G

  
  If Hitchcock were born French, this is what you'd get. Maybe minus a little technical proficiency.

• Antony S

  
  A triumph in all regards, very arguably the best noir, very arguably the best horror. The atmosphere is truly palpable and its callous nature sucker-punches you wholly. Stellar acting work from those involved, and one must pimp the work of Clouzot, as this may very well be recognised… More
  A triumph in all regards, very arguably the best noir, very arguably the best horror. The atmosphere is truly palpable and its callous nature sucker-punches you wholly. Stellar acting work from those involved, and one must pimp the work of Clouzot, as this may very well be recognised as his masterwork (though the Wages of Fear is equally excellent, and just as tension-filled). Avoid the remake whatever you do, lord knows that the implication of sex in noir is totally upended when it actually conatins sex.

• Matt P

  
  A fascinating French thriller which uses suspense beautifully.

• Matthew Y

  
  As The Sixth Sense proved to my generation there's nothing quite like a film with a twist ending that really works. Les Diaboliques is a powerful movie even without its twist but that ending packs a real punch that'll knock you off your favorite recliner. It has been said… More
  As The Sixth Sense proved to my generation there's nothing quite like a film with a twist ending that really works. Les Diaboliques is a powerful movie even without its twist but that ending packs a real punch that'll knock you off your favorite recliner. It has been said that Alfred Hitchcock made Psycho for the sole reason of taking the title of greatest Horror master back from Henri-Georges Clouzot after he stole it with Les Diaboliques (a film Hitchcock wanted to make and Clouzot got the rights too a mere, rumored, few hours before Hitchcock). Les Diaboliques is moody, atmospheric and chilling. A grand Horror film and one of the best films that have ever been made.

• Janno D

  
  Simply the finest Hitchcockian film Hitchcock never made. Clouzot masterfully manipulates visuals and narrative to achieve a clockwork build-up that pulls the rug under your feet without you knowing it. Sardonic, diabolical and seminal, this rivals Psycho as one of the best horror… More
  Simply the finest Hitchcockian film Hitchcock never made. Clouzot masterfully manipulates visuals and narrative to achieve a clockwork build-up that pulls the rug under your feet without you knowing it. Sardonic, diabolical and seminal, this rivals Psycho as one of the best horror films of all time.

• Chris B

  
  What an amazing and super intense film! With a story that was shocking for it's day and it was way ahead of it's time. As the warning at the end of the film states, "Don't be a devil and tell your friends what you saw", I can only say that it has an insane… More
  What an amazing and super intense film! With a story that was shocking for it's day and it was way ahead of it's time. As the warning at the end of the film states, "Don't be a devil and tell your friends what you saw", I can only say that it has an insane ending. The film builds and builds and just when you finally put all the pieces together, something else happens to reverse it. If you enjoy great mystery or suspense films this is at the top of my current list! Highly Highly Recommended!

• a b

  
  This is why they invented movies. Ones like this don't come around very often. The final scenes have some of my favorite images ever. It's so creepy weird! But I'm not telling what happens, because the credits say not to. It's lost some edge, but only because… More
  This is why they invented movies. Ones like this don't come around very often. The final scenes have some of my favorite images ever. It's so creepy weird! But I'm not telling what happens, because the credits say not to. It's lost some edge, but only because it so heavily influenced and inspired films to come.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings