🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Robert Altman
- Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
- Release year: 1972
- Runtime (length): 1h 44min
- IMDb rating: 7.0/10 (8.2K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 86%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A woman goes to Ireland and gets really, really confused and starts seeing double, maybe triple, possibly even more, and things escalate.
🍿 Images: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction to Cathryn’s Delusions
Cathryn, a children’s book author, begins experiencing unsettling events, including mysterious phone calls and apparitions. She’s uncertain if these are real or hallucinations, leading to increased anxiety and paranoia. Her mental state deteriorates as she struggles to distinguish reality from fantasy, hinting at underlying psychological issues.

Retreat to the Countryside
Hoping for respite, Cathryn and her husband, Hugh, travel to their remote countryside retreat. However, her experiences intensify, with visions of a deceased lover, Rene, becoming more frequent and vivid. The isolation amplifies her sense of unease and detachment from reality.

The Arrival of Marcel and Susannah
Hugh’s friend, Marcel, and his daughter, Susannah, arrive for a visit. This further complicates Cathryn’s perception of reality as she sees connections and potential threats where others do not. The young Susannah, who bears a striking resemblance to Cathryn, adds another layer of confusion and unsettling imagery.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Cathryn (Susannah York): A children’s book author struggling with a mental breakdown and hallucinations, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.
- Hugh (Rene Auberjonois): Cathryn’s husband who is largely unaware of the severity of her mental state, leading to tragic consequences.
- Rene (Marcel Bozzuffi): Cathryn’s deceased lover who appears as a hallucination, tormenting her and blurring her sense of reality.
- Marcel (Hugh Millais): A friend and former lover of Cathryn’s whose presence further destabilizes her mental state.
- Susannah (Cathryn Harrison): Marcel’s daughter who mirrors Cathryn, adding to the film’s themes of identity and delusion.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Hugh: “Son of a bitch.” – Hugh says this repeatedly while searching for the vermouth.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $807,000
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 Images Reviews
Personal Review
Wow, what a trip! This movie messed with my head in the best way possible. I felt like I was right there with Cathryn, not knowing what was real and what wasn’t. The scene at the waterfall was particularly haunting, and the ending left me with chills. Definitely a movie that sticks with you long after the credits roll. I will be thinking about this film for a while.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of psychological thrillers”
- “Viewers interested in films exploring mental illness”
- “Those who appreciate art-house cinema with ambiguous endings”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence”
- “Mature themes”
- “Disturbing imagery”
- “Mental illness”
Professional Reviews
- The Wrap: “Altman creates a disorienting psychological thriller where the audience shares in the protagonist’s confusion. The film uses jarring editing and sound design to portray an unreliable narrator and viewer experience.
- AV Club: “Suggestive of the tinkling, misted-over fugue states of QUINTET and THREE WOMEN, IMAGES riffs lyrically off Polanski’s REPULSION. Altman’s version is lush, druglike, sensuously baroque.
- Original: “Robert Altman delivers a visually stunning and thought-provoking film that delves into the depths of mental instability. Susannah York’s intense performance anchors the surreal narrative, although the film’s abstract nature might not appeal to all viewers.
Audience Reactions
Susannah York’s incredible performance truly sells the descent into madness.: Viewers are captivated by York’s raw and vulnerable portrayal of a woman losing her grip on reality.
The film’s eerie atmosphere and unsettling visuals create a truly immersive experience.: Many appreciate how the film successfully puts you in the mindset of someone experiencing psychosis.
Overall Consensus: A visually striking and psychologically complex film that explores the themes of sanity, identity, and perception, though its abstract nature may not resonate with all viewers.
Awards
- Cannes Film Festival (Best Actress)- 1972
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Director Robert Altman originally intended to shoot the film in Milan with Sophia Loren in the lead role.”
- “Actress Susannah York co-wrote the screenplay with Robert Altman and was allowed to include passages from her own children’s book, ‘In Search of Unicorns’, in the film’s narrative. She also received credit as writer.”
- “The names of the characters were switched with the actors playing them: Susannah York played Cathryn, Cathryn Harrison played Susannah, Rene Auberjonois played Hugh, Hugh Millais played Marcel, and Marcel Bozzuffi played Rene.”
🖥️ How to Watch Images?
Currently, ‘Images’ is available for rent or purchase on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Check local listings for potential streaming options or DVD/Blu-ray availability.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Images, you might like these similar films:
- Repulsion (1965): Shares a similar theme of a woman’s descent into madness and isolation, exploring psychological horror through a female perspective.
- Persona (1966): Explores themes of identity, doubling, and mental breakdown within a surreal and dreamlike atmosphere, much like ‘Images’.
- 3 Women (1977): Another Robert Altman film exploring the complexities of female identity and psychological states in a surreal and ambiguous manner.
- Mulholland Drive (2001): Features a non-linear narrative and dreamlike quality that blurs the lines between reality and illusion, creating a sense of disorientation and psychological mystery.
🛒 Images Related Products
- Robert Altman: Interviews (Conversations with Filmmakers Series): An in-depth look into the mind of Robert Altman, featuring interviews and insights into his unique filmmaking approach.
- Vilmos Zsigmond: Cinematographer: A detailed exploration of Vilmos Zsigmond’s visual style, including his work on ‘Images,’ complete with high-quality stills and analysis.
- Schizophrenia: A Comprehensive and Integrative Approach Paperback: A deeper look into schizophrenia with a comprehensive breakdown for those interested.
- Haunted Mind: A Paranormal Mystery Thriller: Solve a paranormal mystery thriller while experiencing a variety of puzzle challenges and unlock new levels and storylines as you progress!
🎧 Soundtrack
Images features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
‘Images’ is a psychological thriller about a woman named Cathryn who experiences disturbing hallucinations and struggles to distinguish reality from fantasy, leading to tragic consequences.
While ‘Images’ contains elements of horror, it is primarily a psychological thriller that explores themes of mental illness and distorted perception. The film relies on suspense, unsettling imagery, and psychological distress rather than traditional horror tropes.
At the end of ‘Images’, Cathryn, in a state of severe mental breakdown, mistakenly kills her husband, believing him to be a manifestation of her inner demons. The film ends on an ambiguous note, leaving the audience to ponder the extent of her delusion and the full tragedy of her actions.
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