Performance & Direction: Notorious Review
Last updated: January 21, 2026
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 Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Thriller is often anchored by its ensemble, and Notorious features a noteworthy lineup led by Cary Grant . Supported by the likes of Ingrid Bergman and Claude Rains , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: The lead actors exhibit a remarkable range, navigating the emotional peaks and valleys of their respective characters with a precision that makes every motivation feel earned.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Notorious (1946) is overwhelmingly positive. With an audience rating of 7.7/10, it stands as a mandatory watch for any serious cinema lover.
Story & Plot Summary: Notorious
Quick Plot Summary: Notorious is a Thriller, Romance, Mystery film that 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 and narrative structure.
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 the protagonist. 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 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
Ending Breakdown: Notorious resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to thriller resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, creating a memorable conclusion that audiences have responded to positively.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the thriller themes in a way that feels organic to the story.
The final moments of Notorious demonstrate careful narrative planning, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
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
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Where to Watch Notorious Online?
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Amazon VideoFlixFlingNotorious 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.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 7.7/10, and global collection metrics, Notorious stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1946 cinematic year.
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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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.
