Gaslight
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) | Release Date: May 4, 1944 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
78
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Critic Reviews
Positive:
13
Mixed:
0
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
75
Chicago ReaderDave Kehr
George Cukor carefully avoids the obvious effects in telling this story of a husband (Charles Boyer) attempting to drive his wife (Ingrid Bergman) insane; instead, this 1944 film is one of the few psychological thrillers that is genuinely psychological, depending on subtle clues—a gesture, an intonation—to thought and character. Read full review
70
The New York TimesBosley Crowther
Prepare yourselves rather for a lengthy and restless stretch on tenterhooks. Read full review
75
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
Yes, the ending is weak, and there are aspects of the story that don't stand up to scrutiny, but this is the kind of effectively-crafted, well-acted motion picture that rises above its faults to earn its "classic" appellation. Read full review
63
Slant MagazineEric Henderson
Gaslight is an expertly directed and evenly paced slow burn (and Dame May Whitty is a stitch, though underused, as a nosy neighbor lady), but its lack of a sound moral and psychological center renders it totally transitory and forgettable. Read full review
70
VarietyStaff (Not Credited)
Patrick Hamilton's London stage melodrama, is given an exciting screen treatment by Arthur Hornblow Jr's excellent production starring Charles Boyer, Ingrid Bergman and Joseph Cotten. Read full review
88
Chicago TribuneMichael Wilmington
Somewhat illogical but full of terrifyingly sustained sado-masochistic emotion. [05 Dec 1997, p.L]
100
The Hollywood ReporterStaff (Not Credited)
Direction by George Cukor is ever a display of fine craftsmanship. He utilizes small mosaics of sharp characterization in building to his climax and works in each facet faultlessly. This is the job for which Cukor admirers have been waiting. Read full review
83
Entertainment WeeklyTim Purtell
It’s canny, gothic fun, helped along by Lansbury (in her film debut) as a tarty maid who delights in overstepping boundaries. Read full review
75
LarsenOnFilmJosh Larsen
It’s often asked why battered women don’t “just leave.” Gaslight evokes the sort of psychological intimidation and cruel mind games that make it so much more complicated than that. Read full review
80
Los Angeles TimesJon Matsumoto
What keeps "Gaslight" burning is its tantalizing aura of mystery. [10 Feb 1994, p.5]
80
The TelegraphStaff (Not Credited)
There's an Oscar-winning performance from Ingrid Bergman, who is driven slowly mad by her husband (Charles Boyer at his smoothest), who's after her dead aunt's jewels. Joseph Cotten plays the urbane detective who smells a rat; Angela Lansbury is excellent as an insolent maid. [06 Jun 2020, p.20]
80
The New YorkerPauline Kael
This pseudo-Victorian thriller is rather more enjoyable than one might expect, and Bergman is, intermittently, genuinely moving.
80
TV Guide MagazineStaff (Not Credited)
The climax is a workmanlike rise of psychological terror, but the whole exercise looks self-consciously careful. Read full review
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