Alfred Hitchcock’s Cult Classic Finally Available on Netflix
The fans of classic cinema should be happy hearing the news that Vertigo finally made it to the popular streaming platform. Here’s what you need to know.
On June 1, Alfred Hitchcock’s classic 1958 film Vertigo was added to Netflix, meaning the iconic director’s acclaimed work is now available on the platform.
Vertigo has been ranked number one on so many “best movies” lists that it's impossible to resist watching it.
What Is ‘Vertigo’ About?
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Vertigo stars James Stewart as John "Scottie" Ferguson, a former San Francisco police detective who develops an extreme fear of heights after a traumatic rooftop chase results in the death of his colleague.
Scottie is forced to retire from the force and is later hired by an old friend, Gavin Elster, to follow his wife, Madeleine. But Madeleine is acting mysteriously and is believed to be possessed by the spirit of her great-grandmother, Carlotta Valdes, who committed suicide at Madeleine's current age.
Scottie’s obsession with Madeleine leads him down a dark path, blurring the lines between who she really is and who he wants her to be. And the film’s psychological depth and haunting score by Bernard Herrmann only add to the eerie, dreamlike atmosphere. Vertigo isn’t just any old thriller, but is a deeply haunting exploration of obsession and identity.
Hitchcock himself crafted a hilarious short description for his movie:
“To put it plainly, the man wants to go to bed with a woman who is dead."
Despite lukewarm reception in 1958, Vertigo is considered one of the best movies in history and a cult classic.
What Do Fans and Critics Think About the Movie?
“One of the greatest films of all-time. It's so rich thematically, it says so much about obsession, grief and the darkness inside of us. Killer cinematography and use of colors, outstanding music. At first glance, you may find flaws in the screenwriting but there's so much truth about the human condition in it. It's not about the plausibility of it all, it's all about the deeper meanings and emotions it elicits. It uses everything cinema has to offer,” Redditor Air-De-Panache said.
- On Rotten Tomatoes, Vertigo has 93% from critics and 92% from viewers.
- On IMDb, Vertigo has 8.2/10.
