Gas Light
Gas Light

Gas Light

1939Movie95 minEnglish

Years after her aunt was murdered in her home, a young woman moves back into the house with her new husband. However, he has a secret that he will do anything to protect, even if means driving his wife insane.

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IMDb7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes95%
Director: Thorold DickinsonGenres: Thriller, Mystery, Film Noir

Plot Summary

A young woman, Bella, is being slowly driven to madness by her manipulative husband, Paul, who systematically isolates her and makes her doubt her own sanity. As he orchestrates various bizarre occurrences within their home, including flickering gas lights and misplaced objects, Bella's grip on reality loosens. A detective begins to suspect Paul's sinister motives and attempts to uncover the truth before Bella succumbs to his psychological torment.

Critical Reception

The 1939 British film 'Gaslight' was critically acclaimed upon its release, praised for its suspenseful atmosphere and strong performances, particularly from Anton Walbrook and Diana Wynyard. It is considered a classic of psychological thrillers and film noir, though it is often overshadowed by the later 1944 American remake.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its chilling depiction of psychological manipulation.
  • Lauded for its taut direction and compelling performances.
  • Considered a masterclass in building suspense and dread.

Google audience: Information not readily available for this specific release, but generally audiences are captivated by the psychological suspense and the performances.

Fun Fact

The film was considered so influential that it contributed to the creation of the term 'gaslighting' to describe psychological manipulation.

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