The Night of the Hunter
dir. Charles Laughton · 1955
The struggle between good and evil within individuals can lead to profound consequences for families and communities.
Feature
Moral Ambiguity
Mood
Tense / Dark
Look
stark chiaroscuro lighting, expressionistic set design
Structure
linear with psychological depth
Plot
In Depression-era West Virginia, a serial-killing preacher hunts two young children who know the whereabouts of a stash of money.
Why watch
In “The Night of the Hunter,” Charles Laughton crafts a haunting tale of innocence beset by malevolence, utilizing stark visuals and a chilling performance by Robert Mitchum to explore the duality of good and evil. This film is a masterclass in psychological horror, making it essential viewing for those intrigued by the darker aspects of human nature.
Cultural context
post-World War II AmericaSouthern Gothic literaturethe Great Depressionrise of film noir