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Poster for The Stranger

The Stranger

Seen it?

1946 | 95 min | Thriller, Crime

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (97% on Rotten Tomatoes). 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 crime fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved Insomnia, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Tense, gritty.
The pace
Fast-moving, at 1 hr 35 min.
What might put you off
  • Made in 1946: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

An investigator from the War Crimes Commission travels to Connecticut to find an infamous Nazi, who may be hiding out in a small town in the guise of a distinguished professor engaged to the Supreme Court Justice’s daughter.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 76 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.2 out of 10

  • AwardsBelow par

    Nominated for 1 Oscar.

  • Box office & staying powerSolid

    $3 million worldwide on a $1 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 96K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Orson Welles

  • Edward G. RobinsonFederal Agent Wilson
  • Loretta YoungMary Longstreet
  • Orson WellesProf. Charles Rankin
  • Philip MerivaleJudge Adam Longstreet
  • Richard LongNoah Longstreet
  • Konstantin ShayneKonrad Meinike
  • Byron KeithDr. Jeffrey Lawrence
  • Billy HouseMr. Solomon Potter
  • Martha WentworthSara
  • David BondStudent (uncredited)