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The Hands of Orlac

1924·Movie
1h 38min·NR
81
GreatGoodWatch score

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High energy, strong craft, light on feelings.

Energy

Nerve-racking and scary

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension9
  • Scare8
  • Violence6

Heart

Moving and melancholic

  • Pathos7
  • Melancholy7
  • Catharsis6

Humor

Some dark humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Dark Humor5
  • Absurdist Humor3
  • Wit & Wordplay2

World

History, the mind, and mystery

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Novelty7
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout characters

  • Character Depth8
  • Intrigue8
  • Direction7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Visual Stylization7
  • Sound Centrality7

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightSolo WatchThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You need an uplifting moodGraphic violence bothers youYou scare easily

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

A world-famous pianist loses both hands in an accident. When new hands are grafted on, he is horrified to learn they once belonged to a murderer.
Silent HorrorPsychological ThrillerEarly German CinemaDoppelganger ThemeGuilt and IdentityBody HorrorExpressionistUnsettling Atmosphere

Crew

Directed by:
Produced by:

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Hands of Orlac

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Hands of Orlac legally?

The Hands of Orlac is included with a subscription to Cultpix and Bloodstream in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on JustWatch TV, Kanopy, and Darkroom. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Hands of Orlac worth watching?

81
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 82/100 (IMDb 7 and Rotten Tomatoes 91%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Hands of Orlac rated?

NRViolenceDisturbing imagery

It's rated NR in the United States. Content advisories: violence and disturbing imagery.

How long is The Hands of Orlac?

1 h 38 min

The Hands of Orlac runs 1 h 38 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Hands of Orlac?

Critics91
Audiences75

Not quite. Critics rate The Hands of Orlac higher (91) than audiences (75). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

What language is The Hands of Orlac in?

Germanxx

It was made in German, with some xx. Produced in Austria.

In how many countries can I watch The Hands of Orlac?

139ADAEAGALAOARATAUAZBABBBEBFBG+125

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Hands of Orlac in 139 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Hands of Orlac use?

The Man They Couldn't HangCon ManBlackmailClothing-Concealed InjuryFrame-UpThe X of YI Have No Son!Conspicuous TrenchcoatObfuscating DisabilityArtificial LimbsSanity SlippageCareer-Ending Injuryand 6 more

TV Tropes lists 18 storytelling tropes for The Hands of Orlac, including The Man They Couldn't Hang, Con Man, Blackmail.