The Uninvited
The Uninvited

Movie spotlight

The Uninvited

1944
Movie
99 min
English

A pair of siblings from London [Ray Milland and Ruth Hussey] purchase a surprisingly affordable, lonely cliff-top house in Cornwall, England. Only to discover that it actually carries a ghostly price, and soon they’re caught up in a bizarre romantic triangle from beyond the grave. Rich in atmosphere, The Uninvited, directed by Lewis Allen, was groundbreaking for the seriousness with which it treated the supernatural, haunted house genre, and it remains an elegant and eerie experience, featuring a classic score by Victor Young. A tragic family past, a mysteriously locked room, cold chills, bumps in the night - this gothic Hollywood classic has it all.

Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes92%
Director: Lewis AllenGenres: Horror, Mystery, Romance, Thriller

Plot Summary

Two London siblings, Roderick and Pamela Fitzgerald, purchase a secluded, picturesque house on the Cornish coast. Shortly after moving in, they discover the house is haunted by the spirit of a young woman named Stella who died tragically there. The siblings become entangled with the spectral presence and the living people connected to the house, including the former owner's beautiful granddaughter, who seems to be the focus of the ghost's lingering torment.

Critical Reception

The Uninvited was a critical and commercial success upon its release, praised for its sophisticated atmosphere, suspense, and effective blend of horror and romance. It was considered one of the best ghost stories of its era and is still regarded as a classic of the genre.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its chilling atmosphere and sophisticated ghost story elements.

  • Hailed as a masterclass in suspense and psychological horror.

  • Applauded for its intelligent script and strong performances, particularly from Gail Russell.

Google audience: Audience reviews often highlight the film's enduring effectiveness as a ghost story, appreciating its slow-burn tension and gothic mood. Many commend its ability to create a sense of unease without relying on excessive jump scares.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Score.

Fun Fact

The iconic, haunting melody "Laura" was originally written for this film, though it was later repurposed for the 1944 film *Laura*, for which it became famously associated.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
John Chard

John Chard

That's not because there are more ghosts here than other places, mind you. It's just that people who live here about are strangely aware of them. The Uninvited is directed by Lewis Allen and adapted to screenplay by Frank Partos and Do...