1931 | 110 min | Drama, Thriller, Crime
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), audiences adore it (8.1 out of 10) and it's still drawing plenty of interest. 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 crime-drama fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved Shadow of a Doubt or Strangers on a Train, start here.
- The mood
- Tense, dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 50 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in German, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Made in 1931: an older pace and style.
In this classic German thriller, Hans Beckert, a serial killer who preys on children, becomes the focus of a massive Berlin police manhunt. Beckert's heinous crimes are so repellant and disruptive to city life that he is even targeted by others in the seedy underworld network. With both cops and criminals in pursuit, the murderer soon realizes that people are on his trail, sending him into a tense, panicked attempt to escape justice.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesVery strong
8.1 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$35K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 313K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Shadow of a Doubt Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed detective crime thriller.
Strangers on a Train Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed detective crime drama.
The Mirror Crack'd
Weeknight WatchAnother detective crime thriller, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
The Bourne Supremacy
Saturday SpecialAnother drama, and a Saturday Special.
The Naked City Saturday SpecialAnother crime thriller that's easy to miss.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Fritz Lang
- Peter LorreHans Beckert
- Ellen WidmannFrau Beckmann
- Inge LandgutElsie Beckmann
- Otto WernickeInspector Karl Lohmann
- Theodor LoosInspector Groeber
- Gustaf GründgensSchränker
- Friedrich GnaßFranz
- Fritz OdemarThe Cheater
- Paul KempPickpocket with Six Watches
- Theo LingenBauernfänger