7.9
The Maltese Falcon fingerprint
Masterful craft, high energy, light on feelings.
Energy
Tense and fast-paced
Fast from start to finish.
- Tension7
- Fast Pace7
- Adrenaline4
Heart
Emotionally reserved
- Nostalgia6
- Romance4
- Melancholy4
Humor
Plenty of sharp wit
- Wit & Wordplay9
- Dark Humor4
- Physical Comedy1
World
Crime, mystery, and history
Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.
- Dialogue Centrality10
- World Immersion8
- Rewatchability8
Craft
Standout dialogue, direction, and performances
- Dialogue Quality10
- Direction9
- Acting9
Style
Standout cinematography, editing, and visual style
A distinctive visual signature.
- Cinematography9
- Editing8
- Visual Stylization8
Energy
HighTense and fast-paced
Fast from start to finish.
The Maltese Falcon is tense and fast-paced.
All energy traits
- Tension7Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Fast Pace7Quick tempo and momentum.
- Adrenaline4High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Spectacle3Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Violence3Physical conflict and intensity.
- Scare1Frightening moments and scares.
Heart
LowEmotionally reserved
It keeps its emotions at a distance.
All heart traits
- Nostalgia6Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
- Romance4Love stories and emotional connections.
- Melancholy4Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Pathos3Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Catharsis3Emotional release and payoff.
- Hopefulness2Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Wonder2Awe, discovery, and amazement.
- Family Dynamics1Relationships and generational ties.
- Wholesome0Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Coming of Age0Personal growth and self-discovery.
Related traits
- Character Depth9Rich, complex characterization.
All humor traits
- Wit & Wordplay9Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Dark Humor4Humor from taboo or grim topics.
- Physical Comedy1Slapstick and visual gags.
- Situational Comedy0Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Cringe Humor0Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Absurdist Humor0Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
- Satire & Parody0Sharp critique and playful imitation.
Related traits
- Eccentricity7Oddball tone and quirks.
World
HighCrime, mystery, and history
Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.
Its world is built around crime, mystery, and history. The setting feels lived-in and easy to get lost in. It holds up on a rewatch.
All world traits
- Dialogue Centrality10Stories driven by conversation.
- World Immersion8Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Rewatchability8Invites repeat viewing.
- Novelty7Fresh ideas and invention.
- Ambiguity4Open-endedness and uncertainty.
Related traits
- Crime9Heists, investigation, and underworld.
- Mystery9Whodunnits and unraveling secrets.
- Historical8Period settings and real events.
- Psychological5Inner worlds and mind games.
Craft
Very highStandout dialogue, direction, and performances
The dialogue, direction, and performances stand out.
All craft traits
- Dialogue Quality10Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Direction9Vision and command behind the camera.
- Acting9Performance craft and presence.
- Character Depth9Rich, complex characterization.
- Intrigue9Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Narrative Structure8Story architecture and form.
- Complexity7Layered plots and ideas.
- Non-linear Narrative0Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative0Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Novelty7Fresh ideas and invention.
- Fast Pace7Quick tempo and momentum.
Style
HighStandout cinematography, editing, and visual style
A distinctive visual signature.
Look and sound: the cinematography, editing, and visual style stand out.
All style traits
- Cinematography9Visual composition and camera work.
- Editing8Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Visual Stylization8Distinctive aesthetic signature.
- Music Composition7Score and musical identity.
- Sound Centrality6Sound design as core element.
- Music Centrality5The score or soundtrack shapes the emotional experience.
Related traits
- Dialogue Centrality10Stories driven by conversation.
Who it's for
Find more like it
Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.
About
He's a Killer When He Hates!
Actors
Crew
Titles like The Maltese Falcon
You are here: The Maltese Falcon
Tap a poster to move
You are herePreview
vscompared with The Maltese Falcon
The Maltese Falcon1941
Point at a poster to compare itHold a poster to compare it
A chip fills to its level. Tap a full one for titles without that trait, a low one for titles with it.
Open a page:The Blue Dahlia (1946)Murder, My Sweet (1944)Death on the Nile (1978)The Sting (1973)The Sicilian Clan (1969)Double Indemnity (1944)The Big Sleep (1946)Kiss Me Deadly (1955)Devil in a Blue Dress (1995)Charley Varrick (1973)RIPLEY (2024)Night and the City (1950)Bob le Flambeur (1956)D.O.A. (1949)Topkapi (1964)Witness for the Prosecution (1957)Young and Innocent (1937)Grand Hotel (2011)Shanghai Express (1932)The Narrow Margin (1952)Touch of Evil (1958)Dial M for Murder (1954)Agatha Christie's Poirot (1989)Harper (1966)The Lady from Shanghai (1947)Purple Noon (1960)Blackmail (1929)The Killing (1956)The Big Combo (1955)Agatha Christie's Seven Dials (2026)Le Trou (1960)The 39 Steps (1935)Notorious (1946)A Haunting in Venice (2023)The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)The Gold (2023)Saboteur (1942)Out of the Past (1947)Why Didn't They Ask Evans? (2022)The Thomas Crown Affair (1968)Sorry, Wrong Number (1948)Rififi (1955)The Day of the Jackal (1973)Rebecca (1940)Strangers on a Train (1951)The Bride Wore Black (1968)Criss Cross (1949)The Big Clock (1948)Breakheart Pass (1975)Bad Day at Black Rock (1955)Murder on the Orient Express (1974)True Grit (2010)L.A. Confidential (1997)Laura (1944)Sugar (2024)The Killers (1946)The Two Faces of January (2014)The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934)Call Northside 777 (1948)Where the Sidewalk Ends (1950)The Butcher (1970)The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959)Young Sherlock (2026)The Bletchley Circle (2012)
Sequels and Prequels
Media
Questions about The Maltese Falcon
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is The Maltese Falcon worth watching?
Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 90/100 (IMDb 7.9, Rotten Tomatoes 99%, and Metacritic 97). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is The Maltese Falcon rated?
It's rated PG in the United States. Content advisories: violence.
How long is The Maltese Falcon?
1 h 40 min
The Maltese Falcon runs 1 h 40 min.
Is The Maltese Falcon based on a true story?
No. It's adapted from a novel.
Do critics and audiences agree on The Maltese Falcon?
Not quite. Critics rate The Maltese Falcon higher (98) than audiences (84). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.
Was The Maltese Falcon a box office hit?
Yes. It cost about $375,000 to make and earned $2 million worldwide, 4.7 times its budget.
What language is The Maltese Falcon in?
It was made in English. Produced in United States.
In how many countries can I watch The Maltese Falcon?
+72GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Maltese Falcon in 86 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.
What tropes does The Maltese Falcon use?
TV Tropes lists 90 storytelling tropes for The Maltese Falcon, including Dead Partner, Did Not Get the Girl, Adaptational Ugliness.