M (1931) – Crime/Thriller/Expressionist Drama
Fritz Lang’s M (1931) is a landmark of early sound cinema and one of the most influential crime thrillers ever made. Combining German Expressionist style with chilling realism, Lang crafts a haunting exploration of justice, morality, and the collective fear that grips a society in the face of evil.
Set in Berlin, the story follows the city’s descent into panic as children go missing and are murdered by an unknown predator. The culprit, Hans Beckert (Peter Lorre in a career-defining performance), is a deeply disturbed man driven by compulsions he cannot control. As public outrage grows, the police launch an exhaustive manhunt that disrupts everyday criminal operations. Ironically, it is the city’s underworld—thieves, beggars, and gangsters—who take matters into their own hands to capture Beckert, seeing him as both a threat to their activities and a monster beyond redemption.
Lang’s use of sound is groundbreaking: Beckert’s eerie whistling of Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King becomes a chilling auditory motif, foreshadowing his presence. The stark, shadow-filled visuals reflect the Expressionist roots of German cinema, while the procedural detail of the police investigation laid the groundwork for future crime dramas.
Peter Lorre’s performance is unforgettable—his final monologue, where he pleads that his compulsion makes him as much a victim as his prey, is both horrifying and strangely pitiable. It forces the audience to confront uncomfortable questions about guilt, justice, and whether true evil can be explained or understood.
Beyond being a gripping thriller, M is a profound social commentary on fear, mob mentality, and the fragile balance between law, order, and chaos. Released during the waning years of the Weimar Republic, the film also reflects the anxieties of a society teetering on political and moral collapse.
Widely regarded as one of cinema’s greatest achievements, M has influenced generations of filmmakers and remains a haunting reminder of how fear and violence can corrode both individuals and entire communities.
