Frenzy
Frenzy

Movie spotlight

Frenzy

1971
Movie
83 min
Greek

A woman murders her disabled husband and informs his brother (with whom she is having an affair), but she realizes she has misdialed and accidentally confessed her crime to a stranger. The caller attempts to blackmail her, but when he tries to rape her she kills him in the struggle. Worse still, her doctor and lover inform her to say nothing because her husband has been dead for eight months and everything that has happened she has imagined.

Insights

IMDb7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes89%
Metacritic87
Google Users86%
Director: Alfred HitchcockGenres: Thriller, Crime, Mystery

Plot Summary

In Hitchcock's return to London for his first film in a decade, a sex-obsessed serial killer known as 'the necktie murderer' is wreaking havoc on the city. Richard Blaney, a down-on-his-luck former RAF pilot, becomes the prime suspect when his girlfriend is found murdered. Blaney struggles to evade the police and clear his name, all while the real killer continues his gruesome spree, leading to a chilling climax involving a potato sack and a rape scene that was ultimately cut.

Critical Reception

Frenzy was a critical and commercial success, marking a return to form for Alfred Hitchcock and often cited as one of his best later works. Critics praised its dark humor, suspense, and shocking violence, which was considered daring for its time. Audiences responded well to the thrilling narrative and Hitchcock's signature directorial touches.

What Reviewers Say

  • A suspenseful and darkly humorous return for Hitchcock, featuring a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase.

  • Praised for its shocking violence and suspenseful direction, despite some controversial elements.

  • Considered one of Hitchcock's most potent thrillers from his later career.

Google audience: Audiences appreciated the film's suspense, dark humor, and Hitchcock's masterful direction. Some found the violence disturbing, but many agreed it was a compelling and effective thriller.

Fun Fact

The infamous rape scene was originally filmed with extreme graphic detail but was cut by Hitchcock himself, who felt it was too disturbing and detracted from the film's suspense.

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