Nightmare Alley
Seen it?1947 | 112 min | Drama, Thriller
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (88% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved The Night of the Hunter or The Silence of the Lambs, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 52 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1947: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
A roustabout joins a traveling carny and schemes to figure out the mind-reading act of Mademoiselle Zeena and her alcoholic husband.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 75 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.2 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerWeak
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; interest faded quickly after launch
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 81K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Edmund Goulding
- Tyrone PowerStanton 'Stan' Carlisle
- Helen WalkerLilith Ritter
- Coleen GrayMolly Carlisle
- Joan BlondellZeena Krumbein
- Taylor HolmesEzra Grindle
- Mike MazurkiBruno
- Ian KeithPete Krumbein
- Roy RobertsMcGraw / Final Carnival Owner (uncredited)
- Florence AuerJane (uncredited)
- Bonnie BannonKnife Thrower's Assistant (uncredited)