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Poster for Peeping Tom

Peeping Tom

What made this the most diabolical murder weapon ever used?

1960 · 1h 41m · Not Rated Drama, Horror, Thriller
Directed by Michael Powell

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Overview

Loner Mark Lewis works at a film studio during the day and, at night, takes racy photographs of women. Also he's making a documentary on fear, which involves recording the reactions of victims as he murders them. He befriends Helen, the daughter of the family living in the apartment below his, and he tells her vaguely about the movie he is making.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
96%
Tomatometer
Fresh

Michael Powell's Peeping Tom is the best movie ever made about the voyeuristic allure of making and watching movies.

Jami Bernard, New York Daily News
Fresh

Fear, as it turns out, is the most frightening thing in the world, and Peeping Tom makes us feel it palpably as few films have been able to do.

Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
Fresh

Peeping Tom reminds us of the scary, primitive power of movies by putting us, as viewers, in the position of its peeping protagonist. As the psychopath sets up his victims for the kill, we see them through his eyes.

Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
Fresh

It still packs a wallop. Maybe that's because, in cinema, we're all peeping toms. And the camera, in skillful hands, can be an exquisite instrument of terror.

Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune
Rotten

Stripped of its color and some excellent photography plus imaginative direction by Michael Powell, the plot itself would have emerged as a shoddy yarn.

Variety Staff, Variety

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