A voyeur with a movie camera turns murder into his own cinematic obsession.
PEEPING TOM
What made this the most diabolical murder weapon ever used?
A young man murders women, using a movie camera to film their dying expressions of terror.
Peeping Tom is a 1960 United Kingdom drama, horror, and thriller film directed by Michael Powell about a shy film studio worker who murders women and films their terror.
Synopsis
Loner Mark Lewis works at a film studio during the day and, at night, takes racy photographs of women. Also he's making a documentary on fear, which involves recording the reactions of victims as he murders them. He befriends Helen, the daughter of the family living in the apartment below his, and he tells her vaguely about the movie he is making.
Why Cult
The plot revolves around a killer who films his victims' final moments, making the audience complicit in his gaze.
Peeping Tom is recognized as an early example of the slasher genre, predating many of the tropes that would later define it.
Set in 1960s Britain, the film blends classic drama with horror and thriller elements, all under the shadow of a movie camera.
The story digs into childhood trauma and sociopathy, turning the killer into a disturbingly sympathetic protagonist.
Questions from the Vault
What is Peeping Tom about? +
Peeping Tom follows Mark Lewis, a shy film studio worker who murders women and films their terror, all while developing a relationship with his downstairs neighbor Helen.
When was Peeping Tom released? +
Peeping Tom was released in 1960.
Who directed Peeping Tom? +
Peeping Tom was directed by Michael Powell.
How long is Peeping Tom? +
Peeping Tom has a runtime of 101 minutes.
What genre is Peeping Tom? +
Peeping Tom is a drama, horror, and thriller film.