The Bells (1931) is a weird, creaky, but effective mess

Is this for you?

If you like movies that feel like a stage play held together by sweat and nerves, you’ll dig The Bells. It’s got that specific, dusty vibe of early sound cinema where everything sounds like it’s being recorded inside a shoebox. Don't go in expecting a polished thriller. If you need snappy pacing or modern tension, skip it. You will absolutely hate it.

Mathias is our guy. He’s the innkeeper who did the deed, and honestly, the way he just stares at the walls is a mood. The movie is less about the crime and more about the sound of his own brain tearing itself apart. Those bells, man. They just keep ringing.

Oddly Specific Observations

• The mesmerist’s eyes. Does he ever blink? I don't think he does.
• The inn interior looks like it was built by someone who had never actually seen a building before. It’s charmingly fake.
• There is a moment where Mathias is sweating so much I started to feel dehydrated just watching him.
• The sound editing is… well, it’s definitely 1931. Sometimes a door closing sounds like a gunshot. Sometimes a whisper sounds like a choir.

Watching this made me think of the weird, claustrophobic feeling you get in The Warrior. It’s that same sense of a character trapped by their own choices, though way less epic. It feels small. It feels like a fever dream you’d have after eating too much cheese.

There’s a scene during the inquest where the camera just sits on Mathias’ face. It stays there for a lifetime. You can see the actor thinking about his rent, his lunch, and the fact that he has to look terrified for another thirty seconds. It’s awkward. It’s great.

Is it a masterpiece? No. Does it have soul? Yeah, a weird, twitchy, nervous kind of soul. It’s not as smooth as The Last of Mrs. Cheyney, but it’s got teeth. Just keep the lights on. Or don't. Maybe that makes the bells sound louder. 🔔