
Murder, My Sweet
dir. Edward Dmytryk
77
6 sourcesSynopsis
After being hired to find an ex-con's former girlfriend, Philip Marlowe is drawn into a deeply complex web of mystery and deceit.
What resonated with audiences
'Murder, My Sweet' stands as a definitive film noir landmark, celebrated for its intricate mystery, sharp hard-boiled dialogue, and moody atmospheric cinematography. Dick Powell's career-defining performance as Philip Marlowe earned widespread acclaim, supported by strong supporting cast work. While the dark visual style and Chandler adaptation received universal praise, the convoluted plot proved divisive—some appreciated its complexity requiring multiple viewings, while others found it unnecessarily confusing and difficult to follow, demanding constant concentration throughout.

Directed byEdward Dmytryk
StarringDick Powell, Claire Trevor, Anne Shirley, Otto Kruger, Mike Mazurki, Miles Mander
Written byJohn Paxton
CinematographyHarry J. Wild
EditingJoseph Noriega
MusicRoy Webb
Murder, My Sweet
1944 · 1h 35m
Crime, Drama, Mystery
After being hired to find an ex-con's former girlfriend, Philip Marlowe is drawn into a deeply complex web of mystery and deceit.
Our Verdict
77
'Murder, My Sweet' stands as a definitive film noir landmark, celebrated for its intricate mystery, sharp hard-boiled dialogue, and moody atmospheric cinematography. Dick Powell's career-defining performance as Philip Marlowe earned widespread acclaim, supported by strong supporting cast work. While the dark visual style and Chandler adaptation received universal praise, the convoluted plot proved divisive—some appreciated its complexity requiring multiple viewings, while others found it unnecessarily confusing and difficult to follow, demanding constant concentration throughout.
