Don't Look Now (1973)

Don't Look Now (1973) is a haunting, slow-burn psychological drama-horror directed by Nicolas Roeg and anchored by intense performances from Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie. The film follows John and Laura Baxter, a couple trying to cope with the recent drowning of their young daughter while staying in fog-shrouded, wintry Venice. When they meet two elderly sisters—one a blind psychic who insists she senses the child’s presence—layers of grief, guilt and suspicion begin to surface. John experiences unsettling visions of a small figure in a red cloak, while an ominous stranger in a red anorak prowls the city’s twisting canals. Watching the film is an immersive sensory experience: Roeg’s fragmented cutting, striking visual motifs (the color red, water, mirrors), and an unnerving sound design create mounting tension and dislocation. The movie balances raw emotional drama with creeping dread, keeping the viewer unsure whether the supernatural is real or a product of trauma. It culminates in a shocking, unforgettable climax that lingers long after the credits. Expect a melancholic, artful thriller that prioritizes atmosphere and psychological depth over jump-scare horror—powerful acting, a pervasive sense of inevitable tragedy, and images that stay with you. Content warning: themes of child death, grief, and some disturbing moments (and explicit adult content) make it suited to mature audiences.

Actors: Julie Christie, Donald Sutherland, Hilary Mason

Director: Nicolas Roeg

Runtime: 110 min

Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery

6.4 /10 95 /100 7.1 /10 7.7 /10