Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
A respected Victorian doctor’s experiment to isolate human goodness unleashes a predatory alter ego that consumes his life.
Overview
A chilling exploration of the duality of man and the darkness that lurks within.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- eerie
- foreboding
- oppressive
- classic horror night
- literary adaptation marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard it as a definitive and highly atmospheric Stevenson adaptation, distinguished by Fredric March’s performance, innovative effects, and cinematic horror craft.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jekyll’s chemical experiments externalize his presumed good and evil sides as Hyde.
The film’s celebrated transformation effects, makeup, lighting, and atmospheric sets visualize Jekyll’s descent.
Hyde’s crimes and attraction to Ivy Pearson emerge from Jekyll’s attempt to liberate and separate immoral impulses.
The film’s sexual menace, violence, and treatment of forbidden appetite reflect its 1931 Pre-Code Hollywood context.
Films like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and why
The Picture of Dorian Gray
shared gothic horror, dual identity, atmospheric black-and-white style, and transgressive psychological themes
Frankenstein
shared expressionistic horror, literary source material, tragic transformation, and morally divided protagonist
Dracula
shared pre-code horror, stylized menace, taboo desire, and charismatic overacting
The Black Cat
shared psychological horror, identity fracture, black-and-white visual stylization, and destructive alter ego
Movie Details
- Director
- Rouben Mamoulian
- Release Date
- 1931-12-24
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (340)
Cast
- Fredric March
- Miriam Hopkins
- Rose Hobart
- Holmes Herbert
- Halliwell Hobbes
- Edgar Norton
- Tempe Pigott
- Leonard Carey
- Sam Harris
- Boyd Irwin
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde about?
- A respected Victorian doctor’s experiment to isolate human goodness unleashes a predatory alter ego that consumes his life.
- What is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as moderate.
- What did critics think of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?
- Critics broadly regard it as a definitive and highly atmospheric Stevenson adaptation, distinguished by Fredric March’s performance, innovative effects, and cinematic horror craft.
- Which films are like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?
- Films with a similar feel include The Picture of Dorian Gray, Frankenstein, Dracula, and The Black Cat.
- How long is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?
- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde runs 96 minutes.
- Where can I watch Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?
- In United States, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
