Overview
A haunting exploration of grief and the supernatural unfolds in the enchanting canals of Venice.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- eerie
- brooding
- claustrophobic
- halloween viewing
- late night cinephile viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly regard Nicolas Roeg’s film as an exceptionally atmospheric and formally inventive psychological horror work, praising its direction, editing, performances, and rich ambiguity despite some objections to its calculated style and suspense.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
John repeatedly sees images of his daughter, Laura, and a funeral gondola before their narrative significance becomes clear.
Narrow streets, canals, bridges, fog, and the funeral gondola turn Venice into a disorienting maze surrounding the Baxters.
The Baxters’ mourning after their daughter’s drowning drives their responses to psychic visions and uncanny encounters.
Roeg intercuts John’s work, the sisters’ visions, the Baxters’ intimacy, and recurring red-cloaked imagery to destabilize chronology.
Films like Don't Look Now, and why
The Innocents
shared psychological horror, grief, supernatural ambiguity, and an ominous European setting
The Wicker Man
shared occult dread, bereavement, visual symbolism, and an unsettling sense of destiny
The Shining
shared disorienting editing, erotic unease, paranoia, and formally adventurous thriller language
The Changeling
shared supernatural mourning, fragmented perception, and elegant atmosphere of impending catastrophe
Movie Details
- Director
- Nicolas Roeg
- Release Date
- 1973-10-11
- Runtime
- 110 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (1228)
Cast
- Donald Sutherland
- Julie Christie
- Hilary Mason
- Massimo Serato
- Clelia Matania
- Renato Scarpa
- Giorgio Trestini
- Leopoldo Trieste
- David Tree
- Ann Rye
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 Don't Look Now about?
- A grieving couple in Venice is drawn into a maze of psychic visions, ominous coincidences, and fatal supernatural dread.
- What is Don't Look Now like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Don't Look Now as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Don't Look Now violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Don't Look Now as moderate.
- What did critics think of Don't Look Now?
- Critics broadly regard Nicolas Roeg’s film as an exceptionally atmospheric and formally inventive psychological horror work, praising its direction, editing, performances, and rich ambiguity despite some objections to its calculated style and suspense.
- Which films are like Don't Look Now?
- Films with a similar feel include The Innocents, The Wicker Man, The Shining, and The Changeling.
- How long is Don't Look Now?
- Don't Look Now runs 110 minutes.
- Where can I watch Don't Look Now?
- In United States, Don't Look Now is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
