Nightmare
A woman is driving alone one evening, when she almost run over a man lying in the road. She gets out of the car to see. Suddenly the man attacks her. Eva Jansson's dead body is found by a local farmer, who calls the police. Soon after fashion designer Maj Berg comes driving the same road and is stopped by the police. When the road is cleared for traffic Mrs. Berg drives on but happens to get a flat tire. While changing to the spare wheel, she finds a black notebook in the ditch. Back in Stockholm she opens the notebook and finds a strange jotting that concerns her.
Insights
Plot Summary
A wealthy businessman, burdened by guilt over his wife's death, becomes entangled in a series of disturbing events and visions that blur the line between reality and delusion. As his grip on sanity loosens, he finds himself drawn into a dangerous game orchestrated by unseen forces, leading him to question everyone around him and his own perceptions.
Critical Reception
Don Siegel's 'Nightmare' is a taut, psychological thriller that, while not as widely recognized as some of his other works, is appreciated for its suspenseful atmosphere and effective exploration of guilt and paranoia. Critics at the time noted its chilling tension and Fonda's strong performance, though some found the plot somewhat convoluted.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its unsettling atmosphere and suspenseful build-up.
- Henry Fonda's performance as a man unraveling is a highlight.
- Some found the plot's twists and turns to be slightly confusing.
Google audience: Audience reception information for 'Nightmare' (1965) is not readily available through common Google user review aggregations.
Fun Fact
The film was shot in black and white, which Don Siegel felt was essential for creating the unsettling and dreamlike atmosphere of the protagonist's deteriorating mental state.
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