The Devil Strikes at Night
The Devil Strikes at Night

Movie spotlight

The Devil Strikes at Night

1957
Movie
100 min
German

Hamburg, Germany, 1944, during World War II. A serial killer terrorizes the city. When it seems clear that the local police are unable to catch him, forces as dark and terrible as the criminal himself become involved in the case.

Insights

IMDb7.5/10
Director: Robert SiodmakGenres: Crime, Film-Noir, Thriller

Plot Summary

In post-war Germany, a series of brutal murders of women terrorizes the public. A cunning killer, known as the 'Schaefer

Critical Reception

Robert Siodmak's 'The Devil Strikes at Night' is a chilling and masterfully crafted film noir that was highly acclaimed for its suspenseful atmosphere, strong performances, and unflinching look at societal fear and the nature of evil. It is often cited as one of the director's finest works and a significant entry in German cinema.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its intense suspense and atmospheric direction.

  • Lauded for its gripping portrayal of a serial killer and societal paranoia.

  • Recognized for its powerful performances, particularly from Curd Jürgens.

Google audience: Audience reception for 'The Devil Strikes at Night' is generally positive, with viewers frequently highlighting the film's tense atmosphere and compelling narrative. Many appreciate its dark themes and effective suspense, finding it a classic example of the film noir genre.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Golden Bear at the 1957 Berlin International Film Festival.

Fun Fact

The film was inspired by the real-life case of Bruno Lüdke, a serial killer who confessed to murdering at least 84 people.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
John Chard

John Chard

Serial Killer - Nazis - Same Thing! Nachts, wenn der Teufel kam is directed by Robert Siodmak and written by Will Berthold (article) and Werner Jörg Lüddecke. It stars Claus Holm, Annemarie Düringer, Mario Adorf, Hannes Messemer, Carl La...