Hitchcockian


Hitchcockian films are those made by various filmmakers, with the styles and themes similar to those of Alfred Hitchcock.

Characteristics

Elements frequently included in Hitchcock's films which lead to Hitchcockian comparisons include:
  • Climactic plot twist.
  • The cool platinum blonde.
  • The presence of a domineering mother in someone's life.
  • An innocent person accused
  • Restricting the action to a single setting to increase tension.
  • Characters who switch sides and/or who cannot be trusted.
  • Tension building through suspense to the point where the audience enjoys seeing the character in a life-threatening situation.
  • Average people thrust into strange or dangerous situations.
  • Bumbling or incompetent authority figures, particularly police officers.
  • Use of darkness to symbolize impending doom
  • Strong visual use of famous landmarks
  • Mistaken identity.
  • The use of a staircase as a motif for impending danger or suspense.
  • Use of a MacGuffin plot device.
  • Referring to crime for mystery rather than presenting it explicitly.
  • Train scenes.
  • Bus scenes
  • Belfry/bell tower sequences
  • Rooftop-borne demises, especially from very tall buildings
  • The color red provoking a fearful, and potentially self-destructive, reaction.
  • A beautiful woman needlessly embezzling her employer's money
  • Voyeurism and surveillance.

Notable examples

Some films, or films with scenes, considered Hitchcockian include:

Filmmakers

The following is a list of filmmakers who have directed multiple Hitchcockian films:

Films by country

Australia

France

Germany

India

Italy

South Korea

Spain