Dead of Night
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Where to watch: We have not been able to check the US streamers for this one — try digital rental.
How it scared people
The vibe
Ealing's portmanteau is the reason every ventriloquist dummy in horror since owes rent: Michael Redgrave's Maxwell Frere doesn't play a man possessed by Hugo so much as a man losing an argument with himself. The comic golfing segment is a dud, but the closing loop still opens like a trapdoor.
Dead of Night (1945) Parents Guide
| MPA rating | No MPAA certificate (released outside the US system) |
|---|---|
| Runtime | 95 minutes |
| Jump scares | 3/5 — moderately scary, with a handful of strong sequences |
| Gore | 1/5 — almost no gore |
| Dread | 4/5 — heavy atmosphere — expect it to sit with you afterwards |
| Themes | psychological distress; sinister dolls or puppets |
Dead of Night carries no MPAA certificate. We score it 3/5 for jump scares, 1/5 for gore and 4/5 for lingering dread, over 95 minutes. Very little blood — the hard part here is atmosphere and aftermath, not graphic content. Older teens and adults — less for what it shows than for how long it stays with you.
We rate what the film does — scares, gore, dread — not scene-level content like language or nudity, which we don't track.
Before you press play
- How scary is Dead of Night?
- On our intensity scale, Dead of Night rates 6/10 for jump scares and 8/10 for dread. It is moderately scary, with a handful of strong sequences.
- How gory is Dead of Night?
- Dead of Night rates 2/10 for gore — expect almost no gore.
- How long is Dead of Night?
- Dead of Night runs 95 minutes (1h 35m).
- What is Dead of Night rated?
- Dead of Night has no MPAA certificate — common for films released outside the US. On our scale it rates 6/10 for jump scares, 2/10 for gore and 8/10 for dread.
- Where to watch Dead of Night (1945)?
- We have not been able to confirm where Dead of Night is streaming in the US. Look for it on digital rental or purchase (Apple TV, Prime Video, or your usual store).
Dead of Night (1945) Cast
- Mervyn JohnsWalter Craig
- Michael RedgraveMaxwell Frere
- Roland CulverEliot Foley
- Mary MerrallMrs. Foley
- Googie WithersJoan Cortland
- Frederick ValkDr. Van Straaten
- Anthony BairdHugh Grainger
- Sally Ann HowesSally O'Hara
Top-billed, in IMDb's billing order.
