77
Metascore
11 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 88USA TodayMike ClarkUSA TodayMike ClarkAhead of its time in its attitude toward unwed motherhood, director Otto Preminger's psychological drama has always gotten the same pro/con reaction that typifies Preminger's career. On the chilly side, it also has a great understated Olivier performance, an effective Paul Glass score and some of the era's best widescreen black-and-white photography. [28 Jan 2005, p.4D]
- 83The A.V. ClubTasha RobinsonThe A.V. ClubTasha RobinsonIt walks a fascinating line between morbid humor and outright horror, and it consistently defies expectations by resetting them at every possible step.
- 80Chicago ReaderDave KehrChicago ReaderDave KehrAs in The Human Factor, Preminger approaches the mystery of human irrationality and emotion through logic and detachment; the effect is stingingly poignant.
- 80Village VoiceAndrew SarrisVillage VoiceAndrew SarrisA pleasure to watch from beginning to end. [21 Oct 1965, p.21]
- 80Washington PostWashington PostWorking in crisp black-and-white, director Preminger, screenwriters John and Penelope Mortimer (adapting Evelyn Piper's novel) and cinematographer Denys Coop do an excellent job of externalizing Anna's heightened neuroses. [10 Feb 2005, p.M24]
- 75TV Guide MagazineTV Guide MagazineA truly compelling psychological suspense story from Otto Preminger.
- 70The New York TimesJ. HobermanThe New York TimesJ. HobermanThe movie has its share of logical inconsistencies, although to dwell on them is to ignore its deliberate ambiguities and considerable panache.
- 70The New YorkerRichard BrodyThe New YorkerRichard BrodyThe film’s real charge lies elsewhere—in Preminger’s view of a jolting, disoriented age of rock and roll.
- 60Time OutTime OutA brief appearance by The Zombies places the time of the season quite neatly, though London doesn't so much swing as creak eerily.