Performance & Direction: Suspicion Review
Last updated: January 21, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Suspicion (1941) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.1/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Mystery.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Mystery is often anchored by its ensemble, and Suspicion features a noteworthy lineup led by Cary Grant . Supported by the likes of Joan Fontaine and Cedric Hardwicke , 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 Suspicion (1941) is overwhelmingly positive. With an audience rating of 7.1/10, it stands as a mandatory watch for any serious cinema lover.
Story & Plot Summary: Suspicion
Quick Plot Summary: Suspicion is a Mystery, Romance, Thriller film that presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The film presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. A sheltered heiress falls for a charming playboy and elopes with him, but soon discovers his gambling vice and mounting debts. As his lies deepen and those around them meet mysterious ends, she begins to suspect that her husband’s affection may conceal a deadly motive—and that she could be his next victim. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The film establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Ending Explained: Suspicion
Ending Breakdown: Suspicion resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to mystery resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
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 mystery themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Suspicion reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Suspicion?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Mystery films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: Suspicion
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $1.1M |
| Worldwide Gross | $4.5M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Suspicion Budget
The estimated production budget for Suspicion is $1.1M. 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: Suspicion
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Where to Watch Suspicion Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
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Amazon VideoApple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeSuspicion Parents Guide & Age Rating
1941 AdvisoryWondering about Suspicion age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Suspicion is 99 minutes (1h 39m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 7.1/10, and global collection metrics, Suspicion stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1941 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Suspicion worth watching?
Suspicion is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Mystery movies. It has a verified rating of 7.1/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Suspicion parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Suspicion identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Suspicion?
The total duration of Suspicion is 99 minutes, which is approximately 1h 39m long.
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Critic Reviews for Suspicion
Could this be Cary Grant as his most benignly menacing? The story itself is really nothing particularly new - a sort of "Gaslight" meets "Rebecca" style story that sees shy young heiress "Lina" (Joan Fontaine) hook up with debonaire "Johnnie" (Grant) and after a whirlwind romance the two are wed. His friend "Gordon" (Nigel Bruce) appears for a visit and soon some holes begin to emerge in her new husband's backstory. Further investigation reveals that lying is not something he has much difficulty with and after a few bumps on their road and when she discovers a letter from their insurers suggesting he was trying to borrow on her life policy, she begins to fear for her own life... Hitchcock's storytelling - at times the camerawork makes us feel like a peeping Tom - and Franz Waxman's tension-laden score add loads to this strongly character driven effort. Bruce shines as the jovial gent to whom "Lina" takes rather a liking, Fontaine herself treads the cinematographic line between reason and paranoia with some considerable skill - but it is Grant who really stands out. His character is likeable, plausible and if you've ever read Anthony Berkeley's rather wordy book "Before the Fact" then you'll recognise that his portrayal is really pretty spot on - can we believe him, do we (want to) believe him - and at the end, well.... It's great this. Well worth the watch.
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.
