Watch Diabolique
- R
- 1996
- 1 hr 47 min
-
5.4 (15,547)
Diabolique from 1996 is a psychological thriller directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik and is a remake of the French film of the same name from 1955. Starring Sharon Stone, Isabelle Adjani, and Chazz Palminteri, it tells the story of two women who plan and execute the murder of a cruel man, and the subsequent events that take place. The movie is set in an all-girls boarding school run by Michel Delasalle (Chazz Palminteri), a cruel and manipulative headmaster who mistreats his wife, Nicole Horner (Isabelle Adjani), and his lover, Mia Baran (Sharon Stone). Nicole is a timid woman who has had enough of Michel's abuse and decides to enlist Mia's help to kill him. Together, the two women plan and execute the perfect murder, disposing of Michel's body in a swimming pool.
The plan seems foolproof until Michel's body goes missing, and strange occurrences begin to happen around the school. Nicole starts to experience hallucinations and fears that she is losing her mind. Meanwhile, Mia starts to suspect that Nicole may have other motives for killing Michel, and the two women become increasingly distrustful of each other.
As the investigation into Michel's disappearance intensifies, the audience is taken on a thrilling ride filled with twists and turns that keep them guessing until the very end. Each character's motivations and actions are put into question, and the film keeps the audience guessing about who is telling the truth and who is lying. The suspenseful atmosphere is underscored by a haunting score by Randy Edelman, which perfectly captures the tension and paranoia of the situation.
The movie is helmed by strong performances from its lead actresses, with Sharon Stone bringing a sense of seductive danger to her portrayal of Mia. Isabelle Adjani delivers an excellent performance as the timid and fragile Nicole, who begins to unravel as the movie progresses. Chazz Palminteri shines in his portrayal of Michel, who is both despicable and charismatic at the same time.
The movie also features excellent cinematography, with Chechik making use of shadows and light to create a sense of menace and danger. The all-girls boarding school serves as a claustrophobic setting, emphasizing the characters' isolation and adding to the tensions of the plot.
Overall, Diabolique is a thrilling and suspenseful movie that keeps the audience guessing until the very end. It offers a gripping story, strong performances, and excellent direction that work together to create a memorable cinematic experience.
Diabolique is a 1996 mystery with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4.