Peter Lorre is basically vibrating in 1935's Crime and Punishment

Should you watch this? Only if you like watching a man slowly unravel in real-time. If you need explosions or a fast-paced plot, you are going to be bored to tears. But if you want to see Peter Lorre act like he's about to explode from pure nerves, well, pull up a chair.

It’s a heavy, gray movie. Everything feels like it’s happening in a room that's a few sizes too small. Lorre plays Raskolnikov—though they call him Roderick here—and honestly, nobody does 'haunted' quite like him. His eyes are constantly darting around like he’s trying to catch his own conscience trying to flee the room.

The whole thing is basically one long, sweaty conversation. Edward Arnold, the inspector, just keeps showing up. He’s like a bad smell that won't go away. He doesn't even have to do much. He just stands there, looking slightly amused, while Lorre looks like he’s about to faint or confess or maybe just fall over.

I found myself wondering if they ever changed their clothes. Everyone looks exhausted, which I guess is the point. The lighting is so moody it feels like the sun just gave up on this part of town entirely.

It’s not as dense as the book, obviously. It cuts out a lot of the philosophical rambling to focus on the pure panic of the situation. It works, mostly because Lorre is such a weird, magnetic presence. You can’t look away even when it gets a little repetitive.

There’s this one bit where he’s just pacing his room, and the camera lingers for so long I started checking my own watch. It wasn't bad, just… intense. Kind of like how Manhattan Melodrama has that slick, city-night energy, but this feels like it’s rotting from the inside out.

Some of the supporting cast are a bit wooden, like they’re just waiting for their turn to say a line so they can go home. But who cares? Lorre is doing enough heavy lifting for the whole production. He’s twitchy, he’s loud, he’s pathetic. You’ll feel a bit gross just watching him.

It’s not a perfect film. It’s a bit stagey and it doesn't try to hide its theater roots. But it’s got a grit to it that keeps you stuck. It’s definitely not a feel-good time, but it’s a heck of a character study if you’re in the mood for something dark. 🕵️‍♂️

Just don't expect a big twist. The tension is the whole point. It's just a man trapped by his own brain, and that's usually the scariest kind of movie anyway.