The Prowler
The Prowler

Movie spotlight

The Prowler

1951
Movie
93 min
English

Los Angeles, California. A cop who, unhappy with his job, blames others for his work problems, is assigned to investigate the case of a prowler who stalks the home of a married woman.

Insights

IMDb7.2/10
Director: Joseph LoseyGenres: Film-Noir, Crime, Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

A predatory married man, obsessed with his beautiful young neighbor, attempts to murder his wife. When his attempt fails, he begins a systematic campaign of psychological torture and manipulation to drive her insane. However, his increasingly desperate actions begin to unravel, attracting the attention of the police.

Critical Reception

The Prowler is a stark and disturbing psychological thriller, praised for its intense atmosphere and effective portrayal of obsession and manipulation. Critics have lauded its dark themes and the unsettling performances of its lead actors, solidifying its status as a notable entry in the film noir genre.

What Reviewers Say

  • Intense and suspenseful portrayal of obsession.

  • Strong performances from the lead actors, particularly Van Heflin.

  • A dark and unsettling example of film noir.

Google audience: Audience reception data for "The Prowler (1951)" is not readily available through generalized search metrics on Google.

Fun Fact

Director Joseph Losey famously worked under a pseudonym, "Leo Kendrick," for this film due to being blacklisted in Hollywood at the time.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
John Chard

John Chard

Edgy noir piece in desperate need of a wider audience. Van Heflin plays Webb Garwood, a grumpy and unhappy cop who is called to investigate a suspected prowler at the home of Susan Gilvray (Evelyn Keyes). Garwood is smitten with the youn...