Overview
A tale of love that spirals into obsession, revealing the dark side of passion.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- brooding
- melodramatic
- ominous
- classic noir night
- film history study
What critics said
Critics broadly praise Gene Tierney's commanding performance, the cast, and sumptuous Technicolor presentation while noting the melodrama's implausible and unlikable characters.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film transforms noir suspense and femme-fatale melodrama through sumptuous Technicolor cinematography and expensive domestic and natural settings.
Ellen's attraction to Richard develops into extreme jealousy and a determination to keep family members and former lovers from him.
Ellen uses deception, murder, manipulation, and staged self-harm to control Richard and preserve the marriage on her terms.
Ellen enters Richard's life as an alluring socialite before her beauty and romantic magnetism reveal a lethal controlling nature.
Films like Leave Her to Heaven, and why
Double Indemnity
psychological noir centered on possessive desire, marital suspicion, and a destructive femme fatale
The Postman Always Rings Twice
stylized domestic melodrama where obsession, jealousy, and moral corruption drive suspense
Gaslight
romantic obsession and poisonous interpersonal control rendered through heightened noir melodrama
Movie Details
- Director
- John M. Stahl
- Release Date
- 1945-12-25
- Runtime
- 110 min
- Rating
- 7.4 / 10 (290)
Cast
- Gene Tierney
- Cornel Wilde
- Jeanne Crain
- Vincent Price
- Mary Philips
- Ray Collins
- Gene Lockhart
- Reed Hadley
- Darryl Hickman
- Chill Wills
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- YouTube TV, FlixFling
- Rent
- Amazon Video, FlixFling
- Buy
- Amazon Video, FlixFling
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Leave Her to Heaven about?
- A dazzling Technicolor noir turns an all-consuming marriage into a study of jealousy, control, and lethal romantic obsession.
- What is Leave Her to Heaven like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Leave Her to Heaven as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Leave Her to Heaven violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Leave Her to Heaven as moderate.
- What did critics think of Leave Her to Heaven?
- Critics broadly praise Gene Tierney's commanding performance, the cast, and sumptuous Technicolor presentation while noting the melodrama's implausible and unlikable characters.
- Which films are like Leave Her to Heaven?
- Films with a similar feel include Double Indemnity, The Postman Always Rings Twice, and Gaslight.
- How long is Leave Her to Heaven?
- Leave Her to Heaven runs 110 minutes.
- Where can I watch Leave Her to Heaven?
- In United States, Leave Her to Heaven streams on YouTube TV, FlixFling.
