Vertigo

Vertigo

Year: 1958

Runtime: 128 min

Language: Korean

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

MysteryThrillerRomance

In this suspenseful romance, a high-rise office worker's crippling vertigo is overshadowed by her chance encounter with a daredevil handyman scaling the skyscraper's facade. As their whirlwind affair takes flight, secrets and lies threaten to send their fragile bond plummeting to new depths.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Vertigo yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Vertigo (1958)
Explore the full timeline and setting of Vertigo (1958). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Vertigo does not specify a concrete time period; however, the film reflects the modern (1950s) era's societal norms and psychological themes. The narrative explores timeless issues of love, obsession, and mental health, resonating with audiences across generations.

Location

San Francisco, Mission Dolores, Palace of the Legions of Honour, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, San Juan Bautista

The movie primarily takes place in San Francisco, a vibrant city known for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, steep hills, and historic sites. Key locations include the Mission Dolores, which is one of the oldest structures in the city, and the Palace of the Legions of Honour, an art museum renowned for its European paintings. The film also features the enchanting redwoods of Big Basin and the historic San Juan Bautista, a mission with rich architectural heritage.

🌆 City 🌳 Nature 🏰 Historical

Last Updated: January 18, 2025 at 14:33

Main Characters – Vertigo (1958)
Meet the key characters of Vertigo (1958), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

John 'Scottie' Ferguson (James Stewart)

Scottie is a retired detective haunted by his acrophobia and the tragic events surrounding Madeleine. His obsession with her leads to a downward spiral causing profound emotional turmoil. Scottie embodies vulnerability and strength, portraying deep psychological complexity as he tries to reconcile love and loss.

🕵️‍♂️ Detective ❤️ Obsessive 😞 Traumatized

Madeleine Elster (Kim Novak)

Madeleine is portrayed as an enigmatic figure whose beauty and mystery captivate Scottie. Her duality as both a ghostly presence and a real woman blurs the lines of identity. She represents the idealized woman Scottie yearns for, ultimately becoming a victim of his obsession and manipulation.

👩‍🦳 Mysterious 🌹 Beautiful 👻 Ghostly

Midge Wood (Barbara Bel Geddes)

Midge is a devoted friend and former fiancée of Scottie, who still harbors feelings for him. Her nurturing demeanor contrasts with Scottie's obsession, as she tries to help him move on. Midge's character highlights unrequited love and the pain of watching someone you care for become fixated on another.

🎨 Artist 💔 Unrequited Love 😞 Caring

Gavin Elster (Tom Helmore)

Gavin Elster is the affluent friend who sets the events of the film in motion by enlisting Scottie's help to follow his wife. His calm yet cunning demeanor hints at deeper, darker motives behind his request. He represents manipulation and the hidden layers of deceit throughout the story.

💼 Cunning 👔 Manipulative 🤵 Wealthy

Last Updated: January 18, 2025 at 14:33

Major Themes – Vertigo (1958)
Explore the central themes of Vertigo (1958), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🌀 Obsession

Obsession is a central theme in 'Vertigo,' illustrated through Scottie's fixation on Madeleine, which drives the plot. His overwhelming desire to recreate the lost love leads him to manipulate Judy into becoming Madeleine again, showcasing the destructive nature of his obsession. The film highlights the fine line between love and possession, creating a gripping psychological spiral.

🌌 Identity

The theme of identity explores the duality of both Madeleine and Judy. Scottie's attempts to mold Judy into Madeleine reveal his struggle with differentiating between reality and illusion. This exploration raises questions about selfhood, personal transformation, and the lengths to which individuals will go to reclaim lost love or identity.

⚖️ Guilt

Guilt permeates the narrative, particularly through Scottie's character as he grapples with the consequences of his actions after Madeleine's death. His feelings of responsibility are compounded by his past trauma, leading to a complex psychological journey that affects his present relationships. The film delves into the intricacies of guilt and its lasting impacts on the human psyche.

Last Updated: January 18, 2025 at 14:33

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