Wait Until Dark
After a flight back home, Sam Hendrix returns with a doll he innocently acquired along the way. As it turns out, the doll is actually stuffed with heroin, and a group of criminals led by the ruthless Roat has followed Hendrix back to his place to retrieve it. When Hendrix leaves for business, the crooks make their move -- and find his blind wife, Susy, alone in the apartment. Soon, a life-threatening game begins between Susy and the thugs.
Critics Sentiment
Susy and Roat fight in total darkness using refrigerator light
Lisa smuggles heroin in doll from Montreal to New York
The film transforms from a slow, stagey opening into one of cinema's most terrifying and suspenseful climaxes.
Wait Until Dark builds steadily from a deliberately paced, theatrical setup into increasingly gripping suspense. Critics consistently praised Hepburn's convincing blind performance and Arkin's terrifying villain, with universal acclaim for the final darkness sequence. The film overcomes its stage origins through masterful tension-building and powerhouse performances.
Full cast
Audrey Hepburn
Susy Hendrix
Alan Arkin
Roat / Roat Jr. / Roat Sr.
Richard Crenna
Mike Talman
Efrem Zimbalist Jr.
Sam Hendrix
Jack Weston
Carlino
Samantha Jones
Lisa
Julie Herrod
Gloria
Robby Benson
Boy Tossing Ball (uncredited)
Mel Ferrer
French-Canadian Radio Speaker (voice) (uncredited)
Gary Morgan
Teenage Boy on Street (uncredited)
Bill Walters
BG with Dog (uncredited)
Jean Del Val
The Old Man (uncredited)
Frank O'Brien
Shatner (uncredited)
Packy McFarland
Passerbye (uncredited)
Crew
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