
I Walked With a Zombie
1943, Horror, 1h 9m
32 Reviews 5,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
Evocative direction by Jacques Tourneur collides with the low-rent production values of exploitateer Val Lewton in I Walked with a Zombie, a sultry sleeper that's simultaneously smarmy, eloquent and fascinating. Read critic reviews
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Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Wesley Rand
Betsy Connell
Paul Holland
Mrs. Rand
Dr. Maxwell
Jessica Holland
Critic Reviews for I Walked With a Zombie
All Critics (32) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (28) | Rotten (4)
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It has been well written and is acted with restraint: the horror never becomes melodramatic or flamboyant. Fine photography helps to achieve superb atmosphere.
October 8, 2020 | Full Review… -
It uses Caribbean folklore and weird religious imagery to spice up a romantic tangle that pays off.
September 24, 2007 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review… -
[I Walked With a Zombie] contains some terrifying passages, but is overcrowded with trite dialog and ponderous acting.
September 24, 2007 | Full Review… -
It transcends the conventions of the horror genre and remains one of Lewton-Tourneur's most compelling studies in light and darkness.
September 24, 2007 | Full Review… -
A dull, disgusting exaggeration of an unhealthy, abnormal concept of life.
August 8, 2006 | Full Review… -
It is Tourneur's caressingly evocative direction, superbly backed by Roy Hunt's chiaroscuro images, that makes sheer magic of the film's brooding journey into fear.
June 24, 2006
Audience Reviews for I Walked With a Zombie
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Aug 29, 2018A nurse (Frances Dee) comes to the West Indies to help two brothers (Tom Conway and James Ellison) tend to the older of the two's wife (Christine Gordon), who is stuck in a perpetual trancelike state. Her doctor is mystified, but it's clear that voodoo from the locals must be involved. There are some nice scenes at night in the film, such as a walk through the rustling sugarcane fields, which evoke a dreamy and gothic feeling. The characters involved in the voodoo itself are fantastic, most notably, the solemn Carrefour (guardian of the crossroads), played by Darby Jones, who has an extraordinary appearance. He alone makes the film worth seeing, especially as it's so short at 69 minutes, but it's also great to briefly see the voodoo dancers. Unfortunately, the film's three main characters are all uninspiring, wandering through this script as if they were the ones who were zombies, at least emotionally. A love is supposed to develop between Dee and Conway, which isn't based on anything we can possibly see, and is therefore unbelievable. The character actions also seem hard to believe at times as well, for example, when they discover the wife doesn't bleed when cut, nothing is done with this information. As in 'Cat People' (1942), also directed by Jacques Tourneur, there are some really nice, eerie moments in this film, but the rest of it is too understated for my taste, and lacking in emotion.Antonius B Super Reviewer
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Oct 04, 2011Exactly what the consensus described, this is the mother of the zombie films. A must watch for the Zombie fansSylvester K Super Reviewer
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Apr 12, 2011Although he went on to make much better films, Jacques Tourner's I Walked With a Zombie is not anywhere near a waste of time. There are some genuinely creepy moments (although they're repeated in other Val Lewton productions) and some very lovely cinematography. There's not really much of a plot to speak of and our leading lady has very little to do in the second half of the movie, but there's some good stuff here. Worth a late night viewing.Tim S Super Reviewer
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Oct 17, 2010I really enjoyed this. It was creepy, but not in an over-the-top way. It also had some catchy music and songs which I thought was a little weird, but again, enjoyable!Sarah P Super Reviewer
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