Verdict:What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? is a confirmed HIT based on our analysis of audience ratings and box office momentum.
With a rating of 7.9/10, it has delivered a compelling experience for fans of the Thriller, Drama, Horror genre.
Answer: Yes, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Thriller movies.
It features a runtime of 135 minutes and offers a solid storyline that appeals to mature audiences.
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1962, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? emerges as a significant entry in the Thriller, Drama, Horror domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of A former vaudeville child star viciously torments her paraplegic sister in their decaying Hollywood mansion. Unlike standard genre fare, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a refreshing take on its central themes.
The success of any Thriller is often anchored by its ensemble, and What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? features a noteworthy lineup led by Bette Davis . Supported by the likes of Joan Crawford and Victor Buono , 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.
In summary, our editorial assessment of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) is overwhelmingly positive. With an audience rating of 7.9/10, it stands as a mandatory watch for any serious cinema lover.
Quick Plot Summary: What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? is a Thriller, Drama, Horror 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.
The plot weaves a complex web of mystery and suspense. A former vaudeville child star viciously torments her paraplegic sister in their decaying Hollywood mansion. 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.
Ending Breakdown: What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? 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.
The final moments of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? demonstrate careful narrative planning, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Highly Recommended For:
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $980.0K |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The estimated production budget for What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? is $980.0K. 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.
Amazon VideoAnalyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 7.9/10, and global collection metrics, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1962 cinematic year.
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? is considered a hit based on audience response and box office performance. With a rating of 7.9/10, it's highly recommended for fans of Thriller, Drama, Horror movies.
Yes, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? is definitely worth watching! It's a must-watch hit for fans of Thriller, Drama, Horror cinema.
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
For this particular review, I have chosen to render my critique - in description of this timeless masterpiece - with a word from each letter of its title: What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? An opus of epic proportions, the tour de force performances in this cinematic icon relay what is: Warped. Hellish. Atrocious. Tumultuous. Evil. Vile. Envious. Ruthless. Hostile. Abhorrent. Perverse. Paranoid. Enraged. Nightmarish. Erroneous. Depraved. Terrifying. Ominous. Brutal. Apprehensive. Backstabbing. Yucky. Jealousy. Abominable. Nefarious. Egotistical. ...And there you have it, folks. A single word from every letter of the title to describe the ice-cold spirit of the one and ONLY What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? This Robert Aldrich-directed, old era silver screen jewel is a phenomenal feature of cinematic art, and a legendary masterwork of prestige. Superb performances by the real-life archenemies, Davis and Crawford. Absolutely superb! Way beyond worthy of its 5 of 5 stars rating.
Now then, settle down - turn off the phone, grab some Malbec and be prepared for one of the finest examples of character-driven cinema you are ever likely to encounter. Bette Davis is the former, rather petulant, child star "Baby Jane" who rather grudgingly looks after her sister - the more critically acclaimed actress "Blanche" (Joan Crawford) as their dotage approaches in their Hollywood home. "Blanche" is largely confined to a wheelchair, so is entirely dependent on her increasingly alcoholic, flaky and downright nasty sibling. Thing is, though, it's Blanche who has the money - and when she starts to discuss selling their house this riles her sister who soon has some pretty menacing thoughts about thwarting this "betrayal". Luckily for "Blanche" - their maid "Elvira" (Maidie Norman) starts to become aware of this rather menacing change in attitude, and well... Crawford and Davis are very much at the top of their games here, and somehow you can't help but wonder if they were really acting their socks off, or whether there was a serious bit of professional "loathing" going on on the set of this deftly directed Robert Aldrich classic. There is a positive sense of venom here from Davis, and her counterpart portrays the traumatised victim with great aplomb. Neither woman is afraid to ditch their more traditional glamour. Davis looks truly demented in her part as the woman with one hand on the bottle and the other on the door handle of the sanatorium - and she excels in the part. It's almost 2¼ hours long and it positively flies by. The pace is perfect, the DeVol score ebbs and flows with the frequently pithy and powerful dialogue and the photography - often tight and intimate makes this a superb example of the ultimate cinema sibling rivalry. Big screen if you can - but either way, this is just about as good as it gets.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
