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Trailer

The Man Who Laughs

1928Movie1 h 50 min

DramaRomance
89
ExcellentGoodWatch score
IMDb7.6Rotten Tomatoes100%87%

A deeply moving, melancholic drama movie about history and politics, with standout performances and world-building.

Good for date night · friends night · teens

Skip it if graphic violence bothers you

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for warmth, comfort or laughs.

Movies with

Story

THE BREAKING HEART BEHIND THE LAUGHING FACE.

When a proud noble refuses to kiss the hand of the despotic King James in 1690, he is cruelly executed and his son surgically disfigured.

Feels like

  • Silent Era Melodrama
  • Historical Tragedy
  • Disfigured Protagonist
  • Political Intrigue
  • Visually Striking
  • Expressionist
  • Class Conflict
  • Romantic Undercurrent
  • Pathos-Driven

Cast

24 of 28

Crew

Directed by
Paul Leni
Written by
Victor Hugo, Walter Anthony, Charles E. Whittaker
Produced by
Carl Laemmle
Music by
William Axt, Erno Rapee, Sam Perry

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

November 4, 1928 · 1 h 50 min · Violence, Disturbing Imagery

Released
November 4, 1928
Runtime
1 h 50 min
Content
Violence, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Drama, Romance, Horror
Original language
English
Also spoken
xx
Made in
United States
Available in
139 countries

Tropes

Starcrossed Lovers, The Hero Dies, Downer Ending +9

  • Starcrossed Lovers
  • The Hero Dies
  • Downer Ending
  • Chekhov's Gun
  • Sexless Marriage
  • Uptown Girl
  • Blind and the Beast
  • Rags to Riches
  • The Hedonist
  • Meaningful Name
  • The Cutie
  • Betty and Veronica

12 of 49 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream The Man Who Laughs?"

Questions about The Man Who Laughs

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Man Who Laughs?

JustWatch TV FreeFlixFlingDarkroomFawesomeMometuTubi TV

In the United States, The Man Who Laughs streams on FlixFling, and it is free with ads on JustWatch TV Free, Darkroom, Fawesome, Mometu, and Tubi TV. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, and FlixFling. It also streams in 138 other countries.

Is The Man Who Laughs worth watching?

89
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 89 (IMDb 7.6 and Rotten Tomatoes 100%). Critics rate it higher (100 out of 100) than audiences (82).

Is The Man Who Laughs good for date night?

and 2 moreDate NightPartner WatchAdultsFriends NightPublic Viewing Safe

Yes: romance is 6 of 10, and the viewing guide lists it for date night.

Will The Man Who Laughs scare me?

Not scaryTerrifying

It's more gruesome than scary: grotesque is rated 7 of 10, scares 5.

What tropes does The Man Who Laughs use?

Starcrossed LoversThe Hero DiesDowner EndingChekhov's GunSexless MarriageUptown GirlBlind and the BeastRags to RichesThe HedonistMeaningful NameThe CutieBetty and Veronicaand 37 more

TV Tropes lists 49 tropes for it, including Starcrossed Lovers, The Hero Dies, and Downer Ending.