Review of The Seventh Victim (1943) by Camden N — 22 Jun 2008

When I watched this on TCM I was pretty disappointed. It seemed really naive and not as suspenseful as it could've been, but it's really grown on me since then. For one thing, this film has a great depressing atmosphere that's really ahead of its time. The portrayal of the Satanists is admittedly sort of dated, but it doesn't seem all that different from how they were portrayed in Rosemary's Baby.

This film even has a sequence that wouldn't be out of place in a Hitchcock film (and even rivals some of his work!) I won't spoil it. I'll only say it takes place on a subway, with a strange trio sitting across from the main character.

I'd recommend this film because it has good performances, great direction, and a creepy, depressing mood that will stay with you long after the film is over. The characters also develop in unexpected ways, and the romantic elements aren't as forced and cheesy as in many thrillers of its ilk; in fact, it fits the movie quite well.