Wait Until Dark Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Blind lady becomes ultimate hide-and-seek champion when some dudes try to find a doll full of drugs in her apartment, and things get real dark… literally.

🍿 Wait Until Dark: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Setup: A Doll Full of Danger

The film begins with Lisa smuggling heroin-filled bags inside a doll in Montreal. At JFK airport, spotting someone suspicious, she asks photographer Sam Hendrix to hold the doll. This sets off a chain of events when criminals come looking for it, unaware that Sam has no idea what he’s carrying.

The Con: Exploiting Susy’s Blindness

Small-time crooks Mike Talman and Carlino, led by the menacing Harry Roat, arrive at Sam’s apartment, where he lives with his recently blinded wife, Susy. They create an elaborate con, with Talman posing as a friend, Carlino as a police officer, and Roat changing disguises, all to trick Susy into revealing the doll’s location. They believe her blindness makes her an easy target.

Suspicions Arise: The Tide Turns

Susy becomes increasingly suspicious of the men. With the help of her young neighbor, Gloria, she starts to unravel their plan. She realizes that the seemingly helpful Talman is part of the criminal plot. A tense game of cat and mouse ensues within the confines of their apartment.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Susy Hendrix (Audrey Hepburn): A recently blinded woman who must use her heightened senses to outwit a group of criminals terrorizing her apartment.
• Harry Roat (Alan Arkin): A ruthless and manipulative criminal mastermind determined to retrieve a heroin-filled doll, by any means necessary.
• Mike Talman (Richard Crenna): A con man who initially aids Roat in his scheme but develops conflicting feelings towards Susy.
• Carlino (Jack Weston): A small-time crook and partner of Mike, easily manipulated by Roat and focused on the financial reward.
• Sam Hendrix (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.): Susy’s well-meaning husband, unwittingly involved in the criminal plot by unknowingly carrying the heroin-stuffed doll.
• Gloria (Julie Herrod): Susy’s observant and helpful young neighbor who assists her in uncovering the criminals’ plan.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Roat: “It’s amazing what you can accomplish by pretending to be what you’re not.” – Roat says this line, highlighting his deceptive nature and manipulation tactics used against Susy.
• Susy: “I don’t need eyes. Can’t you understand that? Don’t you know what that means? I can hear better. I can smell better. I can feel better.” – Susy explains how her other senses have heightened to help her compensate for her blindness.
• Susy: “Gloria? How would you like to do something difficult and terribly dangerous?” – Susy proposes a daring plan to Gloria, highlighting her determination and resourcefulness.
• Mike: “You know, blind people develop other senses. Like radar.” – Mike warns Carlino about underestimating Susy, acknowledging her heightened senses.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $17,550,741
• Worldwide Gross: $17,550,741

💥 Wait Until Dark Reviews

Personal Review

I watched ‘Wait Until Dark’ late one night, and honestly, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time! Audrey Hepburn is incredible, making you feel her vulnerability and then her strength. The moment she starts smashing the lightbulbs? Genius! That refrigerator scene gave me chills – I had to pause the movie and take a breath. It’s a classic for a reason, and I’ll definitely be watching it again (maybe not alone this time!).

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic suspense thrillers”
  • “Viewers who appreciate strong female leads”
  • “Those who enjoy movies with clever plot twists”
  • “Admirers of Audrey Hepburn and Alan Arkin’s acting”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Threatening situations”
  • “Drug references”
  • “Some intense scenes that may be disturbing for younger viewers”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Hepburn delivers a standout performance as the vulnerable yet resilient Susy. Arkin’s portrayal of Roat is chilling, creating a truly memorable villain. The film’s suspenseful atmosphere and clever use of sound make it a classic thriller.
• The New York Times: “A masterclass in suspense, ‘Wait Until Dark’ benefits from tight direction and strong performances. Hepburn is superb as the blind woman who turns the tables on her tormentors. The film’s climax is genuinely terrifying, and it leaves a lasting impression.

Audience Reactions

The suspenseful finale with the lights out was absolutely terrifying!: Viewers consistently praise Audrey Hepburn’s portrayal of Susy and the film’s nail-biting suspense.

Overall Consensus: ‘Wait Until Dark’ is a highly regarded suspense thriller, praised for its strong performances, tight direction, and genuinely frightening atmosphere. It remains a classic of the genre.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Actress)- 1968

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Alan Arkin considered his role in ‘Wait Until Dark’ one of his most challenging, as he had to portray a character with multiple personalities and maintain a menacing presence throughout the film.”
• “Audrey Hepburn prepared extensively for her role as a blind woman, spending time at a school for the blind to learn how to navigate and perform everyday tasks without sight. She even wore special contact lenses to simulate impaired vision.”
• “The film’s climax was so intense that some theaters reportedly turned off the house lights during the final scenes to heighten the audience’s sense of disorientation and vulnerability.”
• “Terence Young, the director, was known for directing the early James Bond films, bringing a sense of suspense and action to the thriller genre.”

🖥️ How to Watch Wait Until Dark?

You can watch ‘Wait Until Dark’ on various streaming platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, and through online movie rental services. Check listings on these platforms for availability in your region. You may also purchase the digital version on these platforms for permanent access.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Wait Until Dark, you might like these similar films:

• Dial M for Murder (1954): Features a suspenseful plot with twists, turns, and a confined setting, much like Wait Until Dark.
• Rear Window (1954): Explores themes of voyeurism and paranoia as the protagonist becomes confined and investigates a potential crime.
• Panic Room (2002): A mother and daughter trapped in their home must outsmart intruders, creating a similar sense of claustrophobia and tension.
• The Spiral Staircase (1946): Focuses on a mute woman who becomes the target of a killer, building suspense through her vulnerability and isolation.

🛒 Wait Until Dark Related Products

• Wait Until Dark (Blu-ray): Experience the suspense in high definition with this Blu-ray edition. A must-have for any thriller collection.
• Audrey Hepburn: A Photographic Celebration: A beautiful collection of photographs celebrating Audrey Hepburn’s life and career. A perfect gift for Hepburn fans.
• Wait Until Dark Movie Poster: A vintage-style poster of ‘Wait Until Dark’. Perfect for decorating a home theater or adding a touch of classic cinema to any room.
• 1960’s Retro Decor: Decorate your living space with cool lamps, shag rugs, and retro furniture. Embrace the 1960’s.

🎧 Soundtrack

Wait Until Dark features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Wait Until Dark” – performed by Henry Mancini

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Best Horror Scenes: Wait Until Dark (1967)

Want a quick shot of pure terror? This compilation of the best horror scenes from ‘Wait Until Dark’ is chilling and showcases the film’s genius in building suspense. I never knew a movie could be so scary!

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