Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Slow
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- eerie
- suspenseful
- shadowy
- classic horror night
- mystery movie marathon
What critics said
Critics generally found the film a competently directed but mechanical and sluggish gothic whodunit, with enough entertainment for mystery fans but limited scariness.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The Oaks is a lonely country house with a history of murders and dangerous nocturnal activity.
John Fleming conceals one million dollars in securities in the house, making the missing proceeds a central plot driver.
The Bat is a strange, violent criminal whose identity and actions generate the film's suspense.
The film is presented in black and white and emphasizes an isolated house, night activity, and murder mystery.
Films like The Bat, and why
The Old Dark House
old dark house setting, murder mystery, amateur detection, and gothic suspense
House on Haunted Hill
black-and-white gothic mystery, isolated mansion, concealed motives, and possible supernatural menace
Clue
ensemble whodunit structure, hidden money, murder suspects, and darkly comic gothic atmosphere
The Cat and the Canary
period mystery thriller centered on an ominous criminal figure and a secluded house
Movie Details
- Director
- Crane Wilbur
- Release Date
- 1959-08-09
- Runtime
- 80 min
- Rating
- 5.9 / 10 (140)
Cast
- Vincent Price
- Agnes Moorehead
- Gavin Gordon
- John Sutton
- Lenita Lane
- Elaine Edwards
- Darla Hood
- John Bryant
- Harvey Stephens
- Mike Steele
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, YouTube TV, MGM Plus, Night Flight Plus, Screambox Amazon Channel, Midnight Pulp, Full Moon Amazon Channel, Troma NOW, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel, Bloodstream
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Bloodstream
- 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 The Bat about?
- A mystery writer’s country-house retreat becomes a maze of murders, hidden securities, and suspicion surrounding a ruthless criminal called The Bat.
- What is The Bat like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Bat as slow, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Bat violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Bat as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Bat?
- Critics generally found the film a competently directed but mechanical and sluggish gothic whodunit, with enough entertainment for mystery fans but limited scariness.
- Which films are like The Bat?
- Films with a similar feel include The Old Dark House, House on Haunted Hill, Clue, and The Cat and the Canary.
- How long is The Bat?
- The Bat runs 80 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Bat?
- In United States, The Bat streams on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, YouTube TV, MGM Plus, Night Flight Plus, Screambox Amazon Channel, Midnight Pulp, Full Moon Amazon Channel, Troma NOW, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel, Bloodstream.
