Three Strangers

Year: 1946

Runtime: 92 mins

Language: English

Director: Jean Negulesco

CrimeThriller

On the eve of Chinese New Year, three strangers—a woman named Crystal Shackleford, married to a wealthy philanderer; Judge Jerome Artbutny, who appears respectable; and Johnny West, a low‑life thief—convene before a small statue of the Chinese goddess of Destiny. They strike a pact to purchase a sweepstakes ticket together and agree to split any winnings that may result.

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Timeline & Setting – Three Strangers (1946)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Three Strangers (1946). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Last Updated: December 10, 2025 at 12:32

Main Characters – Three Strangers (1946)

Meet the key characters of Three Strangers (1946), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last Updated: December 10, 2025 at 12:32

Major Themes – Three Strangers (1946)

Explore the central themes of Three Strangers (1946), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: December 10, 2025 at 12:32

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about fateful pacts like in Three Strangers

Stories where desperate characters make deals that spiral into moral ruin.If you enjoyed the desperate gamble and tragic fallout in Three Strangers, you'll find similar thrills in these movies. This collection features gripping stories about characters whose bargains with destiny lead to moral decay, crime, and bitter endings, perfect for fans of dark, suspenseful dramas.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread often begin with a seemingly simple agreement among strangers or unlikely allies, centered on wealth or a shared goal. This pact acts as a catalyst, intertwining the characters' fates and accelerating their descent into a world of escalating stakes, ethical compromises, and inevitable collapse, underscoring a cynical view of fortune.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on a central, fate-altering pact, a dark and suspenseful tone, and the exploration of how desperation corrupts. They deliver a heavy emotional weight through stories of moral decay and the ironic twists of destiny that befall their characters.

Dark crime dramas with moral decay like Three Strangers

Gritty tales of flawed individuals succumbing to greed and corruption.For viewers who appreciated the dark, cynical world and themes of greed in Three Strangers, this section highlights similar films. Discover more gripping noir and neo-noir stories featuring desperate characters, fatalistic moods, and narratives where moral compromises lead to devastatingly bittersweet or bleak conclusions.

cynicalanxiousgrimmelancholicsuspensefulfatalisticdesperate

Narrative Summary

These stories typically follow a protagonist or ensemble of flawed individuals who are given a chance to change their circumstances. Instead of redemption, they choose a path of moral compromise, often involving crime or manipulation, which triggers a chain reaction of events leading to their ultimate physical or spiritual ruin.

Why These Movies?

This thread unites films through their unmistakably dark tone, high tension, and focus on the psychological unraveling of characters under pressure. They share a fast-paced, interconnected narrative style and a heavy, often bittersweet, emotional impact stemming from themes of fate, betrayal, and the high cost of corruption.

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Three Strangers Summary

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Three Strangers Timeline

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Three Strangers Spoiler-Free Summary

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More About Three Strangers

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Three Strangers: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

Similar Movies to Three Strangers

Discover movies like Three Strangers that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.