Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- paranoid
- brooding
- enigmatic
- classic noir night
- cinephile viewing
What critics said
Critics recognize flashes of Orson Welles's visual and emotional genius despite finding the overall film uneven and difficult to defend as a complete work.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Guy Van Stratten reconstructs Gregory Arkadin's pre-1927 history by questioning people across Europe and beyond.
Arkadin hires Guy to investigate his own obscure past, making concealment and self-invention central to the mystery.
Guy's methodical inquiry links scattered deaths and increasingly closes danger around him.
The film moves through dim docks, international locations, and visually heightened environments shaped by Welles's baroque direction.
Films like Mr. Arkadin, and why
The Third Man
Shared neo-noir mystery, international intrigue, morally compromised investigators, and paranoid atmosphere.
Touch of Evil
Shared labyrinthine conspiracy, elusive wealthy figures, and expressionistic noir tension.
The Big Sleep
Shared globe-spanning crime investigation, fragmented identities, and brooding psychological ambiguity.
Movie Details
- Director
- Orson Welles
- Release Date
- 1955-08-09
- Runtime
- 107 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (201)
Cast
- Orson Welles
- Akim Tamiroff
- Grégoire Aslan
- Patricia Medina
- Jack Watling
- Mischa Auer
- Peter van Eyck
- Michael Redgrave
- Amparo Rivelles
- Frédéric O'Brady
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Artiflix
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Mr. Arkadin about?
- An opportunistic American investigator uncovers a tycoon's buried history in a flamboyant, globe-spanning noir mystery where every answer deepens the danger.
- What is Mr. Arkadin like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Mr. Arkadin as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Mr. Arkadin violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Mr. Arkadin as moderate.
- What did critics think of Mr. Arkadin?
- Critics recognize flashes of Orson Welles's visual and emotional genius despite finding the overall film uneven and difficult to defend as a complete work.
- Which films are like Mr. Arkadin?
- Films with a similar feel include The Third Man, Touch of Evil, and The Big Sleep.
- How long is Mr. Arkadin?
- Mr. Arkadin runs 107 minutes.
- Where can I watch Mr. Arkadin?
- In United States, Mr. Arkadin streams on Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Artiflix.
