Rotten Tomatoes
Submit search Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

The Snake Pit

Play trailer Poster for The Snake Pit 1948 1h 48m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
100% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
In this psychological drama, Virginia Cunningham is confused upon finding herself in a mental hospital, with no memory of her arrival at the institution. Tormented by delusions and unable to even recognize her husband, Robert, she is treated by Dr. Mark Kik, who is determined to get to the root of her mental illness. As her treatment progresses, flashbacks depict events in Virginia's life that may have contributed to her instability.
Watch on Fandango Stream Now

Where to Watch

The Snake Pit

Critics Reviews

View More
THR Staff The Hollywood Reporter Nov 5, 2018
It makes no compromise with the shocking facts as presented in the novel. The result is a drama that builds to a fever pitch of tension and holds itself there with superlative artistry. Go to Full Review Geoff Andrew Time Out Feb 9, 2006
It's entertaining enough in a hysterical sort of way, even if it never matches up to the excesses of Fuller's later Shock Corridor. Go to Full Review Nell Dodson Russell Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder Jan 15, 2022
This powerful film packs such a dramatic wallop that I don't recommend it to highly nervous or emotionally excitable people. Go to Full Review Elsa Branden Photoplay Aug 20, 2021
3/3
Occasionally, a picture comes along so powerful in its impact that it leaves you gasping. The Snake Pit, taken from the novel of writer Mary Jane Ward, belongs in that category. Go to Full Review Tom Meek Cambridge Day Aug 7, 2020
3.5/4
...where grim scenes of rec room madness are cemented by the excellent and vast supporting cast. Go to Full Review Tim Brayton Antagony & Ecstasy Dec 5, 2016
6/10
[Olivia] de Havilland does as much as she can with what she's given. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Blobbo X @Blobbo Jul 23, 2026 DeHavilland was amazing. Scary nuthouse, too. See more Leaburn O @RT35452347 Nov 17, 2025 A solid golden age classic about a mental health hospital. Highlighting the crude use of electric shock therapy that used to be standard practice in institutions back in the day. It is a bit overwrought at times but generally Olivia de Havilland is excellent. Watched on DVD. See more Melissa L @Agent99 Aug 8, 2025 Poignant story about a mentally ill woman who is institutionalized. The ending was a happy one, though. See more Deke P @RT96675217 Sep 9, 2023 epic mental asylum movie. Starring Olivia DeHavilland, who played Melanie in GWTW. Very long. Saw it on the telly 9.8.23, Note to sef, pay more attention to parts next time, if there is one. See more Georgan G @RT98616417 Jun 20, 2023 This classic was made long before the public knew much about mental illness. And it ended up helping laws change re treatment. de Havilland's acting was superb and gave the lead character true depth. See more Steve M @RT57413388 May 1, 2023 What if you woke up and you were in the nut house? and you didn't remember how you got there or where you lived before. Pretty scary. Well done movie shows how the doctor digs into her past to see what caused her problems. See more Read all reviews
The Snake Pit

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING

Cast & Crew

View All

Anatole Litvak

Director

Olivia de Havilland

Virginia Stuart Cunningham

Mark Stevens

Robert Cunningham

Leo Genn

Dr. Mark Kik

More Like This

View All
Pinky 67% 72% Pinky Watchlist Gentleman's Agreement 82% 78% Gentleman's Agreement Watchlist The Razor's Edge 56% 70% The Razor's Edge Watchlist A Tree Grows in Brooklyn 94% 90% A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Watchlist Boomerang! 75% 64% Boomerang! Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All

The Snake Pit

The Snake Pit (1948) The Snake Pit (1948) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In this psychological drama, Virginia Cunningham is confused upon finding herself in a mental hospital, with no memory of her arrival at the institution. Tormented by delusions and unable to even recognize her husband, Robert, she is treated by Dr. Mark Kik, who is determined to get to the root of her mental illness. As her treatment progresses, flashbacks depict events in Virginia's life that may have contributed to her instability.
Director
Anatole Litvak
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Twentieth Century Fox
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 13, 1948, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2013
Runtime
1h 48m
Join The Newsletter Join The Newsletter Cookie Settings