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7.2/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 7.2/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Die verschwundene Frau remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly, you should only watch this if you are a massive fan of silent movies or if you're trying to see every single thing Peter Lorre ever did. It is not exactly a masterpiece, but it has that weird, grainy charm of late 1920s European cinema. 🎞️
If you want a tight, scary thriller, you’re probably going to be disappointed. It’s more of a curiosity piece than a must-see film.
History buffs will like seeing the old streets and the way people dressed, but everyone else might find the pacing a bit like watching paint dry. It is definitely not as exciting as something like Thunderclap.
Peter Lorre shows up and he is already doing that thing with his eyes. You know the one. He looks like he’s constantly suspicious of everyone in the room, even when he's just standing there.
He isn't the main star, which is a bit of a letdown. But whenever he is on screen, the movie suddenly feels a lot more interesting.
The rest of the cast is... fine. Reinhold Häussermann does a lot of gesturing with his hands, which was pretty standard for the time. It gets a bit much after forty minutes.
The story is about a woman who vanishes, but the way the movie handles it is so clunky. There is a lot of people walking into rooms, looking surprised, and then walking back out. 🚪
At one point, there is a scene in a hallway that feels like it lasts for ten years. I actually checked my phone twice during it.
It reminds me of those low-budget shorts like Pick and Shovel where the plot is just an excuse for people to move around. Except this is trying to be a serious mystery.
The humor is also really dated. There are these bits that are clearly supposed to be funny, but they just feel awkward now. Like a joke that someone’s grandpa tells at Thanksgiving that nobody laughs at.
There is a guy wearing a hat that looks way too big for his head. I couldn't stop looking at it. It kept wobbling every time he moved his mouth.
The lighting in the indoor scenes is really inconsistent. One second it’s bright as day, and the next it looks like they’re filming in a basement with one candle. 🕯️
I liked the fashion, though. The coats are fantastic. They don't make clothes like that anymore, even if the movie itself is a bit of a mess.
If you’ve seen Night Life, you might notice some similarities in the way the nightlife scenes are shot. But this film doesn't have nearly as much energy.
The ending feels rushed. It’s like the director realized they were running out of film and just decided to stop. 🎬
It’s not a bad movie, it’s just very forgettable. If you’re bored and want to see what Vienna looked like in 1929, go for it. Otherwise, you could probably find something better, like The King of Kings.
I don't think I'll ever watch it again. Once was enough to satisfy my Lorre curiosity.
Anyway, it's a decent way to spend an hour if you have nothing else to do. But don't expect it to change your life or anything.
IMDb 6.4
1925
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