
The Hands of Orlac
Seen it?1924 | 98 min | Horror, Thriller, Mystery
Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (91% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had little lasting buzz. 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 and horror fans. If you loved Carnival of Souls or Peeping Tom, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Scary.
- The pace
- Fast-moving, at 1 hr 38 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in German, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Made in 1924: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
A world-famous pianist loses both hands in an accident. When new hands are grafted on, he is horrified to learn they once belonged to a murderer.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
91% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
6.9 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 15K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
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Peeping TomSaturday SpecialAnother horror thriller.
The Naked CitySaturday SpecialAnother mystery that's easy to miss.
The Third ManFriday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed thriller.
This Gun for HireSunday Safe BetAnother thriller, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Robert Wiene
- Conrad VeidtPaul Orlac
- Alexandra SorinaYvonne Orlac
- Fritz StrassnyVater Orlac
- Paul AskonasDiener
- Carmen CartellieriRegine
- Hans HommaDr. Serral
- Fritz KortnerNera