Who is the Audience for This Movie?

People who like movies about serial killers.

What I Liked About This Movie

Fritz Lang (director) was obviously so in control of every aspect of this movie. The first thing you will notice while watching “M” is how smooth the editing is between the nicely framed scenes. There are many different characters and situations yet you never feel like you are being thrown back and forth between them. Choosing to portray the serial killer as a weak willed helpless man was genius. His actions are wrong yet you feel some sympathy for him simply because it is obvious that he is not in control of what he does. This theme comes to a head quite poignantly during the killer’s final monologue.

The issue of street justice as opposed to civil justice is fully confronted in this movie. Throughout “M” the police and criminal side to finding the dastardly killer is on display but it is not until the finale that both collide with each other. When they do, you are left to make up your mind on how you think you would feel about a fitting justice for the crimes committed.

What Didn’t Work For Me

There are only two small things I found very strange. “M” has very VERY sparse use of music/sound. I thought something was wrong with my TV in the beginning because for long stretches of time there is no sound at all. The second thing that irks me was the final shot of the movie. A women stares at the camera and plainly states one of the apparent themes of the movie.

Should You Watch This Movie?

“M” is a fantastic movie that you definitely need to see.

My Rating (Out of 13)