Films made which are similar in style to Alfred Hitchcock's films
Hitchcockian films are those made by various filmmakers, with the styles and themes similar to those of Alfred Hitchcock .
Characteristics
Elements considered Hitchcockian include:
Climactic plot twist.
The cool platinum blonde .[1]
The presence of a domineering mother in someone's life.[2]
An innocent man accused.
Restricting the action to a single setting to increase tension (e.g. Lifeboat Rope Rear Window
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 (e.g. Vertigo
Average people thrust into strange or dangerous situations (e.g., Psycho North by Northwest The Man Who Knew Too Much
Bumbling or incompetent authority figures, particularly police officers.
Use of darkness to symbolize impending doom (dark clothing, shadows, smoke, etc.)
Strong visual use of famous landmarks (Statue of Liberty , Mount Rushmore , Forth Rail Bridge , Golden Gate Bridge , Albert Hall , British Museum , Piccadilly Circus , etc.)
Mistaken identity (e.g. North by Northwest Frenzy
The use of a staircase as a motif for impending danger or suspense.[3]
Use of a MacGuffin plot device .[4] [5]
Referring to crime for mystery rather than presenting it explicitly (e.g. Dial M for Murder
Train scenes (e.g. North by Northwest The Lady Vanishes Strangers on a Train Shadow of a Doubt
The color red provoking a fearful, and potentially self-destructive, reaction.
A beautiful woman needlessly embezzling her employer's money.
Voyeurism and surveillance.[6]
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:
