Frank Bigelow is about to die, and he knows it. The accountant has been poisoned and has only 24 hours before the lethal concoction kills him. Determined to find out who his murderer is, Frank, with the help of his assistant and girlfriend, Paula, begins to trace back over his last steps. As he frantically tries to unravel the mystery behind his own impending demise, his sleuthing leads him to a group of crooked businessmen and another murder.
A doomed accountant, Frank Bigelow, arrives in San Francisco and learns he has been poisoned with a slow-acting toxin. With only a few days to live, he embarks on a relentless pursuit to uncover the identity of his killer and the motive behind the murder. His investigation takes him through the city's underbelly, involving shady characters and a dangerous affair, as he races against time to expose the truth before his life runs out.
D.O.A. is widely regarded as a classic of film noir, praised for its innovative narrative structure and taut suspense. Critics at the time and retrospectively have lauded its bleak atmosphere, hard-boiled dialogue, and the compelling performance of Edmond O'Brien as a man confronting his own mortality. Its low-budget origins belie a sophisticated and effective thriller that has maintained its cult status over the decades.
Google audience: Audience reviews highlight the film's gripping premise and its effectiveness as a suspenseful thriller, often noting its lasting impact and memorable chase against time.
The distinctive, almost documentary-like look of D.O.A. was achieved by shooting on location in San Francisco, a rarity for films of this era which often relied heavily on studio sets.
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