M

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M

1933,

1h 39m,

Mystery & Thriller/

Crime/

Drama

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Watchlist

100%

63 Reviews

Tomatometer

95%

25,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

63 Reviews

95%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

In this classic German thriller, Hans Beckert, a serial killer who preys on children, becomes the focus of a massive Berlin police manhunt. Beckert's heinous crimes are so repellant and disruptive to city life that he is even targeted by others in the seedy underworld network. With both cops and criminals in pursuit, the murderer soon realizes that people are on his trail, sending him into a tense, panicked attempt to escape justice.

Critics Consensus

A landmark psychological thriller with arresting images, deep thoughts on modern society, and Peter Lorre in his finest performance.

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Bruce Blevin

The New Republic

Feb 18, 2022

Not only is the film brilliantly directed, with a vast amount of that inspired type-casting at which the Germans are so good, but Peter Lorre acts the part of the insane murderer with great insight and inspired skill.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

Jun 30, 2019

5/5

Be afraid. Be properly afraid. The greatest creation of Fritz Lang's career remains one of the most disturbing movies of his, or any, film-making era.

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Carrie Rickey

Philadelphia Inquirer

May 2, 2016

4/4

Lang's movie is that rare thing, a nail-biting soul-searcher. While M steers clear of analyzing deviance, it is startling in its musings on which punishment fits an inhuman crime.

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Sarah Boslaugh

TheArtsStl

Jul 12, 2026

9/10

As good as Lang’s mastery of diegetic sound is, his employment of the visual language of film is even better.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Mar 11, 2026

4/4

It's clear that Lang was ahead of most of his peers in grasping the promise of the motion picture form.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Mar 13, 2025

4/4

Lang’s film remains an urgent and engaging experience that still feels vibrantly made and acted—the product of a specific place and time in history, of course, but also vital, exciting, and timeless.

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Poe W

Jan 15, 2019

This masterpiece stars Peter Lorre as child murderer Hans Beckert, who is chased by police and criminals. The kangaroo court scene at the end is one of the best endings ever, where Beckert admits that he is unable to control his actions and should be handed over to police instead of being murdered for something he is unable to control. Hans Beckert is actually a sympathic character even though he murders children.

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Albus W

Dec 5, 2018

A masterful blend of crime/psychological thriller, and a shockingly sympathetic serial killer almost unheard of during this period. Lang's M is filled with dream-like atmosphere, fascinating characters, taut suspense, social commentary, and a masterful performance by Peter Lorre rightly confirms this film as one of the greatest ever made.

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Ron W

Nov 14, 2018

This film was great.

Rey S

Nov 2, 2018

Unbelievably good. Most movies from the '60s you just appreciate them for their groundbreaking movements, not because they still excite or scare or have you in suspense. M was very very suspenseful, I felt emotionally invested and it had me on the edge of my seat. The directing was first class and the acting was almost perfect. Its very close to being the perfect suspense and mystery film. The fact that this was made in 1931 leaves me flabbergasted.

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Theodore S

Oct 3, 2018

Absolutely fantastic Fritz Lang classic (his first talkie). Both entertaining and powerful. Lorre pulls off the near-impossible - making a child murderer almost sympathetic during his final plea to the "court".

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Sep 12, 2018

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Peter Lorre

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Ellen Widmann

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Synopsis

In this classic German thriller, Hans Beckert, a serial killer who preys on children, becomes the focus of a massive Berlin police manhunt. Beckert's heinous crimes are so repellant and disruptive to city life that he is even targeted by others in the seedy underworld network. With both cops and criminals in pursuit, the murderer soon realizes that people are on his trail, sending him into a tense, panicked attempt to escape justice.

Director: Fritz Lang
Producer: Seymour Nebenzal
Screenwriter: Egon Jacobson, Fritz Lang
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Nero-Film AG
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
Original Language: German
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 2, 1933, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 21, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA): $29.6K
Runtime: 1h 39m
Sound Mix: Mono

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