Diabolique (1955)

 Henri-Georges Clouzot's "Diabolique"


Sitting here staring at my computer screen trying to come up with something to say about Henri-Georges Clouzot's 1955 thriller "Diabolique" is proving to be rather difficult. Normally, I'm at a loss of words when a film has nothing to offer and I felt completely detached and unengaged with it. For this film, it is quite the opposite. I was completely floored after finishing the film and sat in my seat in utter astonishment. 

I don't wish to provide the synopsis for the film other than to say that a woman and another woman hatch a plan to kill one of the women's husband. What transpires from there is a story full of twists and turns that leaves knots upon knots in your stomach. The film was based on the novel "She Who Was No More" by Boileau-Narcejac. However, Clouzot changed many optics for his film version. It is rumored that Clouzot narrowly beat Alfred Hitchcock for the film rights to the novel by a mere few hours. In fact, many critics after the film was released felt that the film heavily resembled a typical Hitchcock thriller. 

I'm not sure how Clouzot was able to accomplish this, but the film is completely black and horrid and in many scenes, leaves you shaking with anticipation and suspense. I walked away from the film having a completely blackened viewpoint of many of the characters and of humanity itself. This seemed to be a direct result of the American film noir movement of the 1940s. By the 1950s, films had adapted not only this dark and melancholic tone, but had ramped up that tone to fit a much bleaker and nihilistic viewpoint. 

Again, I can't really say a whole lot about the film because I'm still reeling from my sheer awe of what it was able to accomplish. There are scenes that I still can't get out of my head and scenes I can vividly recall having goosebumps. There were moments I shifted from paranoia, fear, suspense, and eventually, utter terror. Until finally the film concludes on utter despicable blackness of the human soul and leaves you with the perhaps the bitterest of tastes in your mouth. 


 

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