Synopsis: Before Psycho, Peeping Tom, and Repulsion, there was Diabolique. This thriller from Henri.Georges Clouzot (Le corbeau, The Wages of Fear), which shocked audiences in Europe and the U.S., is the story of two women – the fragile wife and the willful mistress of a sadistic school headmaster – who hatch a daring revenge plot. With its unprecedented narrative twists and unforgettably scary images, Diabolique is a heart-grabbing benchmark in horror filmmaking, featuring outstanding performances by Simone Signoret (Casque d’for, Army of Shadows), Vera Clouzot (The Wages of Fear), and Paul Meurisse (Le deuxieme souffle, Army of Shadows).
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Les diaboliques 8.0

The acting is of a different generation, and it’s not always plausible, but this thriller is engaging enough to warrant more than one viewing. I loved the twists and turns and the dark humour it was peppered with.

Too bad I had seen the American remake years before, because a lot of the film’s surprises were spoiled by it. Frankly, the remake is not worth the time, despite its cast – stick with the original.