Notorious
Notorious Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: April 11, 2026
Movie Overview: Notorious
| Movie | Notorious |
| Release Year | 1946 |
| Director | Alfred Hitchcock |
| Genre | Thriller / Romance / Mystery |
| Runtime | 103 minutes |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Notorious (1946) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a SUPER HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.7/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Thriller.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in Notorious are led by Cary Grant . The supporting cast, including Ingrid Bergman and Claude Rains , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
Notorious stands out as a strong entry in the Thriller genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Thriller narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, Notorious has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Thriller fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: Notorious
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1946, Notorious is a Thriller, Romance, Mystery film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The narrative builds tension through unpredictable twists and keeps audiences guessing until the final reveal. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Cary Grant.
Story Breakdown
The plot weaves a complex web of mystery and suspense. In order to help bring Nazis to justice, U.S. government agent T.R. Devlin recruits Alicia Huberman, the American daughter of a convicted German war criminal, as a spy. As they begin to fall for one another, Alicia is instructed to win the affections of Alexander Sebastian, a Nazi hiding out in Brazil. When Sebastian becomes serious about his relationship with Alicia, the stakes get higher, and Devlin must watch her slip further undercover. Information is revealed strategically, keeping viewers engaged as they piece together clues alongside Cary Grant. The narrative maintains momentum through well-timed revelations and unexpected turns.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening scene plants the seeds of mystery, introducing questions that will drive the narrative forward.
- Character Arc: The protagonist, portrayed by Cary Grant, undergoes a meaningful transformation, with their journey feeling earned and emotionally resonant. Supporting characters are well-developed, each serving a purpose in the narrative.
- Climax & Resolution: All mysteries converge in a climax that recontextualizes earlier events and delivers satisfying answers.
Ending Explained: Notorious
Notorious Ending Explained: Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, Notorious resolves its central conflicts in a coherent and engaging way. The ending highlights the core thriller themes developed throughout the film.
The final twist encourages viewers to reconsider earlier moments in the story, particularly in scenes involving Cary Grant. Many viewers have praised the way the narrative builds toward its final moments.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The main storyline reaches a clear conclusion.
- Character Development: The central characters complete meaningful arcs.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the thriller themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of Notorious reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Who Should Watch Notorious?
Highly Recommended For:
- Fans of Thriller cinema looking for quality storytelling
- Viewers who appreciate gripping suspense and clever plot twists
- Anyone seeking a well-crafted film that delivers on its promises
Box Office Collection: Notorious
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $2.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $24.5M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Notorious Budget
The estimated production budget for Notorious is $2.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Notorious
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Notorious Online?
Streaming HubNotorious Parents Guide & Age Rating
1946 AdvisoryWondering about Notorious age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Notorious is 103 minutes (1h 43m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.7/10, and global performance metrics, Notorious is classified as a SUPER HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1946 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Notorious worth watching?
Notorious is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Thriller movies. It has a verified rating of 7.7/10 and stands as a SUPER HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Notorious parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Notorious identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Notorious?
The total duration of Notorious is 103 minutes, which is approximately 1h 43m long.
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How Notorious Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Notorious
Good thriller from Alfred Hitschcock.
Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant just ooze charisma in this classic Hitchcock story of espionage and romance. She ("Alicia") has taken to the bottle following the conviction of her Nazi father and is heading down the slippery slope when she is approached by "Devlin" (Grant) who offers her a chance to redeem herself. She is to ingratiate herself with a group of her father's cohorts in Rio and feed back her intelligence to the CIA. Once in Rio, she is reunited with her arch-Nazi admirer "Alexander" (Claude Rains) and, at the insistence of her new boss (Louis Calhern) she marries him. What now ensues is a cleverly developing tale of treachery and betrayal tempered with plenty of humour and a little romance (of course she and "Devlin" fall for each other). The photography is both grand and intimate, Roy Webb has scored this perfectly and Hitchcock uses Ben Hecht's story to full effect. This is a classic piece of cinema that I saw quite recently on a big screen - and it is well worth watching again!
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.
