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Poster for The Snake Pit

The Snake Pit

Seen it?

1948 | 108 min | Drama, Mystery

Friday Night Flickearly rating

Why it’s a Friday Night Flick

Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it won an Oscar. Make plans for this one.

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 Shutter Island or Donnie Darko, 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 48 min.
What might put you off
  • Made in 1948: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Virginia Cunningham is confused upon finding herself in a mental hospital, with no memory of her arrival at the institution. Tormented by delusions and unable to even recognize her husband, Robert, she is treated by Dr. Mark Kik, who is determined to get to the root of her mental illness. As her treatment progresses, flashbacks depict events in Virginia's life that may have contributed to her instability.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    100% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.1 out of 10

  • AwardsStrong

    Won 1 Oscar: Best Sound. Also nominated for 5 more Oscars. Plus 2 other awards.

  • Reach & staying powerBelow par

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 42K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Anatole Litvak

  • Olivia de HavillandVirginia Cunningham
  • Mark StevensRobert Cunningham
  • Leo GennMark Kik
  • Celeste HolmGrace
  • Glenn LanganDr. Terry
  • Helen CraigNurse Davis
  • Leif EricksonGordon
  • Beulah BondiMrs. Greer
  • Lee PatrickAsylum Inmate
  • Howard FreemanDr. Curtis