A retired San Francisco detective suffering from acrophobia investigates the strange activities of an old friend's wife, all the while becoming dangerously obsessed with her.

Vertigo poster

Vertigo (1958)

Alfred Hitchcock engulfs you in a whirlpool of terror and tension!

★ 8.1/10 May 28, 1958 128 min

MysteryRomanceThriller

Director: Alfred Hitchcock  ·  Writers: Alec Coppel, Samuel A. Taylor

A retired San Francisco detective suffering from acrophobia investigates the strange activities of an old friend's wife, all the while becoming dangerously obsessed with her.

Where to watch

YouTube TV YouTube TV TCM TCM Amazon Video Amazon Video Apple TV Store Apple TV Store Google Play Movies Google Play Movies YouTube YouTube Fandango At Home Fandango At Home Amazon Video Amazon Video Apple TV Store Apple TV Store Google Play Movies Google Play Movies YouTube YouTube Fandango At Home Fandango At Home

Trailer

Director

Alfred Hitchcock Alfred Hitchcock

Cast

James Stewart James Stewart Det. John 'Scottie' Ferguson Kim Novak Kim Novak Madeleine Elster / Judy Barton Barbara Bel Geddes Barbara Bel Geddes Marjorie 'Midge' Wood Tom Helmore Tom Helmore Gavin Elster Henry Jones Henry Jones Coroner Raymond Bailey Raymond Bailey Scottie's Doctor Ellen Corby Ellen Corby Manager of McKittrick Hotel Konstantin Shayne Konstantin Shayne Pop Leibel Lee Patrick Lee Patrick Car Owner Mistaken for Madeleine Bess Flowers Bess Flowers Diner at Ernie's (uncredited) Alfred Hitchcock Alfred Hitchcock Man Walking Past Elster's Office (uncredited) David Ahdar David Ahdar Priest (uncredited)

User Reviews (6)

Eky
Eky June 16, 2012

All I know, this film wasn’t so successful at first and this probably because the audience didn’t expect a film so dark and claustrophobic. Vertigo was so strange already from the beginning because of its surreal and nightmarish atmosphere. I bow to Hitchcock in his creativity in visualizing Jimmy Stewart’s acrophobia by implementing one of the oldest cinematography techniques, using zoom lens as it zooms in while the object moves away, emphasizing his terrified feeling and insecurity whenever he’s at a particular height due to a chronic vertigo he suffers. As always, the film director’s cameo appearance has always been fascinating since we know it’s his habit therefore we will usually let our eyes wander throughout the film, trying to spot him. In conclusion, this timeless thriller remains a classic gem despite the emergence of new modern films. The great visual effects also…

tmdb47633491
tmdb47633491 April 7, 2018
★ 4/10

I will never understand the universal adoration for Vertigo. Blindly inherited wisdom is the only explanation. How anyone could prefer this to North by Northwest or Rear Window is beyond me. An exceptionally made, exceptionally boring movie

barrymost
barrymost March 30, 2020
★ 8/10

A tense, dizzying thriller from the Master. Plot in a nutshell: A retired detective suffering from acrophobia takes the case of an old college chum's wife, who may be possessed by the spirit of her great-grandmother who committed suicide many years previous. But of course, a much darker, and more down-to-earth, secret lies beneath the surface. Comments: James Stewart is the perfect anti-hero in this: clever and brave, but also disturbed, unhinged, and at times possessive. He does a stellar job with a difficult role. In the supporting role of Stewart's faithful friend "Midge" is Barbara Bel Geddes, and she does a delightful job. According to one source I've read, after Vertigo flopped upon release, Hitchcock blamed Stewart, claiming he (Stewart) was too old and people no longer wanted to see him, hence the film's lack of success. When Hitchcock went on to do North By Nor…

JPV852
JPV852 September 5, 2020
★ 8/10

Not one of my favorites from Hitchcock, and certainly dower, but still visually striking and two amazing performances from James Stewart and Kim Novak. This is only the second time seeing this, guessing the last time was maybe 10 years ago or so, not entirely sure when I'll revisit it. **3.75/5**

James
James October 14, 2023
★ 9/10

Perhaps it’s due to my dislike for the overrated “North By Northwest”, but as of now this is my favourite Hitchcock.

coddest
coddest September 16, 2026
★ 6/10

A slow paced but good movie if we disregard the ending, it feels like writers did not have any idea how to finish the story.