Performance & Direction: Death Is a Caress Review
Last updated: January 27, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Death Is a Caress (1949) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.9/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Death Is a Caress features a noteworthy lineup led by Claus Wiese . Supported by the likes of Bjørg Riiser-Larsen and Ingolf Rogde , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Death Is a Caress (1949) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.9/10, it stands as a decent one-time watch.
Story & Plot Summary: Death Is a Caress
Quick Plot Summary: Death Is a Caress is a Drama, Romance film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: Death Is a Caress
Ending Breakdown: Death Is a Caress attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Death Is a Caress reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Death Is a Caress?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Drama films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: Death Is a Caress
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Death Is a Caress Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Criterion ChannelDeath Is a Caress Parents Guide & Age Rating
1949 AdvisoryWondering about Death Is a Caress age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Death Is a Caress is 89 minutes (1h 29m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.9/10, and global performance metrics, Death Is a Caress is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1949 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Death Is a Caress worth watching?
Death Is a Caress is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 5.9/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Death Is a Caress parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Death Is a Caress identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Death Is a Caress?
The total duration of Death Is a Caress is 89 minutes, which is approximately 1h 29m long.
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Critic Reviews for Death Is a Caress
Claus Wiese is the handsome young "Erik", happily chugging along with girlfriend "Marit" (Eva Bergh) until the wealthy "Sonja" (Bjørd Riiser-Larsen) stops by his garage to have her car engine fixed. A few days later, he is offered a chauffeuring job and it turns out that it is her and her husband who are having a weekend together before he heads off on a business trip to the USA. You can guess what happens once he has gone, but is it just an one night stand or might it develop into something more? The film follows the ebbs and flows of their, frankly, torrid relationship. Drink fulled temper tantrums, acute jealousy and her inconsistent behaviour tests this otherwise mild-mannered younger man severely. Sadly, though, this film all just came across to me as too contrived. Initially they do fancy one and other, that's fine - but as their toxic friendship evolves, it becomes quite tough to watch because their love/hate/love relationship just isn't plausible. The ending is telegraphed by the retrospective narrative of the story (told by "Erik" talking to a police officer from the top of the film). For 1949, the dialogue and one or two of the scenes are maybe a bit risqué, but I wouldn't say this is one of Edith Calmar's finest works. It is notable for what it represents in terms of the development of cinema, and the fact that it has a woman director, but I can't say much more than that.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
