Maddy at Maddy Loves Her Classic Films is hosting the Horrorathon, celebrating horror movies in the light of the forthcoming Halloween, and I have decided to contribute with a review of one intelligent and highly influential film which some view to be one of the precursors to the modern psychological horror/thriller genre.
Les Diaboliques [1955] – ★★★★1/2
🛀 A true classic in the suspenseful thriller/horror genre, with a twist “to die for”.
Henri-Georges Clouzot’s French-language film Les Diaboliques is the film which Alfred Hitchcock was dying to make, but never did. The film is not a strictly horror film, but, rather, a psychological thriller with suspense and horror elements combined. In this story, two women, Christina and Nicole, the wife and the mistress of the oppressing director of a boarding school respectively, decide to kill their man and then dispose of his body. Everything goes according to plan, but does it, really? After the murder, the two women realise that the corpse of their victim is nowhere to be found and the mystery seems to deepen with each passing day.
Les Diaboliques plays out unassumingly for the majority of its time. The plot seems simple: Michel Delassalle is a tyrannical and mean director of a boarding school for boys, and the two women under his direction are fed up with his abuse towards them and the children. Nicole and Christina are friends, and decide to kill Michel to relieve themselves of their oppression. They do so by luring Michel out, sedating him and killing him by drowning him in a bathtub. The suspense throughout the key film moments is high, and the focus is especially on frail Nicole as she is most affected by her husband’s murder. There are mental breakdowns here to observe, and one mystery after another surfaces, while the detective, who would like to investigate the disappearance of Christina’s husband, is seemingly getting closer and closer to the real truth. The real realisation or the “payoff” comes only at the very end of the film. However, that twist is unexpectedly mind-blowing and so cleverly constructed and presented, that the film’s length and its slow pace are justified. This means that, upon watching, it will be almost necessary to re-watch the film because the audience undoubtedly missed some important clues or expressions when they watched it for the first time.
Based on a novel by Pierre Boileau and Thomas Narcejac titled Celle qui n’était plus (She who was no more), Les Diaboliques is the kind of a film whose plot is filled with hidden agendas and clues, and it is probably for that reason Hitchcock wanted to make the film so badly. In fact, instances of Les Diabolique sare clearly evident in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960), especially the run of a female from a male down the road to hide the crime, and the use of the character of a nosy detective who, finally, has right theories about the crime. Nowadays, the film’s first part reminds of Ridley Scott’s Thelma and Louise (1991), a film which looked to Les Diaboliques for some inspiration.
The cast of the film does a great job. Simone Signoret plays a woman with the nerves of steel – Nicole Horner, who is contrasted well with the fragile and vulnerable wife of the victim – Christina, played by Véra Clouzot, the wife of director Henri-Georges Clouzot. Paul Meurisse, as a diabolical husband Michel, is also good, while Charles Vanel, as a private detective Alfred, has a certain eccentricity and cool rationality about him which later gave the push to invent such a notable character as Lieutenant Columbo.
Les Diaboliques may start and continue like one’s ordinary psychological thriller with a murder mystery to solve, but, by the end, it becomes evident that the film is something very original, very thought-provoking and more intelligent than first guessed. Maybe a little dull in its middle part, it is still ground-breaking and entertaining, with its suspenseful atmosphere and an effective, unforgettable twist, necessitating second viewing.
Spotlight on Film 
Brilliant film! The director’s work on Wages of Fear is equally sublime! Great review!
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Thank you! I am yet to see Wages of Fear, but I sure will now.
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I thought this film was quite terrifying when I first saw it! Nice review!
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Glad to know you also found it scary. Perhaps, the most terrifying thing about it is the fact that something like this – the twist – and its consequences could happen. An elaborate evil and a frightening realisation.
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I’ll never forget it. It is that kind of film!
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Never heard of this film, but it sounds intriguing. As I am reading in the comment above that the director for this was involved in Wages of Fear, I’m definitely going to check this one out, (even though it is somewhat disturbing that this film features someone carrying my name is being sedated and drowned in a bathtub lol 😂). As usual: great post! 😀
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I hope you get the chance to have a look at this film. The final twist is definitely worth the slow-moving plot. It may not be the most original thing ever anymore – since we are watching it in the 21st century, but you can definitely appreciate its boldness by that time standards.
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Brilliant film! It’s so creepy and shocking. I can only imagine what this must have been like to see first time around at the time of release. Terrific review. Many thanks for taking part.
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Yes, that must have been an experience! Thank you for hosting. I like taking part in your blogathons, they are always well-organised, fun and informative.
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Thank you so much. Always happy to have you taking part!
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Good write up! This is a fabulous film and a real slow burn towards a shocking denouement.
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Thanks! I totally agree.
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Been a few years since I watched, remember had a good story and kept me on the edge of my seat! Yes, you are right to question the film as horror, I’d label it suspense/mystery/thriller.
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Fantastic review! I had no idea the 1996 movie Diabolique was a remake! I loved the story and I think the detective was my favorite character, especially when played by kathy Bates. I definitely need to watch Les Diaboliques.
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Thank you! Yes, every successful foreign film seems to have its American counterpart. Les Diaboliques just needs to be seen, for example to sense its influence on so many films made after.
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Indeed, this film is mind-blowing. I liked it very much, especially the two female leads. Great review!
Don’t forget to read my contribution to the blogathon! 🙂
Cheers!
Le
http://www.criticaretro.blogspot.com
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Thanks! I am sorry I always try to leave you comments, but sometimes it is a bit difficult since I have to log in to a gmail account (which I don’t have, but I made just for that purpose), and it is complicated with all those security questions.
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I’ve had a copy of this for years but never gotten around to watching it. Soon! Today, even?
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I hope you will enjoy it, and I would love to hear your thoughts when you see it. If anything, the acting and the twist alone make the watch worthwhile.
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