Strangers on a Train
Strangers on a Train

Strangers on a Train

1951
Movie
101 min
English

A charming psychopath tries to coerce a tennis star into his theory that two strangers can commit the perfect crime by exchanging murders—each killing the other’s most-hated person.

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IMDb8.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes97%
Metacritic89/100
Google Users91%
Director: Alfred HitchcockGenres: Mystery, Thriller, Crime

Plot Summary

Two men meet by chance on a train and get into a conversation about their unhappy lives. One of them, Bruno Anthony, suggests a novel solution to their problems: they could each murder the other's wife, thus providing each with an alibi. Guy Haines, a promising tennis player, initially dismisses the idea, but when his wife refuses to grant him a divorce, he finds himself entangled in Bruno's sinister plan. As Bruno becomes increasingly obsessive and dangerous, Guy must find a way to stop him before he is implicated in murder.

Critical Reception

Strangers on a Train was met with critical acclaim upon its release and is now considered a classic of the thriller genre. Critics praised Hitchcock's masterful direction, the suspenseful storytelling, and the chilling performances of the lead actors, particularly Robert Walker as the unhinged Bruno Anthony. Audiences were captivated by the intricate plot and the dark psychological themes, solidifying its status as one of Hitchcock's most memorable works.

What Reviewers Say

  • Masterful suspense and psychological depth.
  • Chilling performances, especially from Robert Walker.
  • A brilliant example of Hitchcock's directorial prowess.

Google audience: Audience reviews consistently praise the film's gripping suspense, clever plot, and memorable villain. Many highlight the film's enduring tension and Hitchcock's signature style, with Robert Walker's performance frequently cited as a standout.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography, Black-and-White (Robert Burks).

Fun Fact

The iconic shot of the eyeglasses falling and rolling across the pavement was achieved by Hitchcock dropping the glasses himself.

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TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Tennis pro "Haines" (Farley Granger) is quietly travelling in the club car of a train when his neighbour "Bruno" (Robert Walker) strikes up a conversation. It all seems innocuous enough, the former man is an accomplished player and it seems...
CharlesTheBold

CharlesTheBold

The "strangers on a train" are Guy, a successful athlete in an unhappy marriage, and Bruno, an amoral playboy. Bruno suggests a perfect crime whereby Guy can get rid of his wife without being suspected, and he convinces himself that Guy ha...