What If I Don’t Like It? – Season Two Finale: The Night of the Hunter (1955)

For the season two finale, I’m joined by film critic Carl Gustafson ("@Carlthefilmcritic") to talk about The Night of the Hunter (1955), a classic horror film often called one of the greatest and most influential movies ever made. Why do filmmakers love it? Why did it fail on release? And why can it feel intimidating to first-time viewers?

This episode is perfect for anyone who has avoided this classic because it feels lofty or intimidating. Carl and I break down the film’s direction by Charles Laughton, Robert Mitchum’s iconic performance, its expressionist cinematography, and why it remains a genuinely tense, emotional, and influential movie.

Whether you’re a horror fan, a classic film lover, or just curious about this famous movie, this conversation is a friendly guide to The Night of the Hunter.

Where You Can Find Us

Kt Baldassaro (@MovieRuntime) TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@movieruntime Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movieruntime YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieRuntime

Carl Gustafson (@Carlthefilmcritic) TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@carlthefilmcritic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlthefilmcritic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CarlTheCritic

00:00 Introduction to The Night of the Hunter and Episode Overview

11:15 Film Reviews, TikTok, and How We Talk About Movies

16:58 First Movie Memories, Comfort Films, and Horror Origins

22:31 The American Dream and Classic Hollywood Themes

27:32 The Night of the Hunter Plot Overview and First Reactions

31:57 Film Noir, Expressionism, and Cinematic Style

36:00 Cinematography, Shadows, and Visual Storytelling

39:40 Influence on Modern Horror and Filmmakers

42:04 Women in The Night of the Hunter: Sexuality and Power

45:50 Religion, Good vs Evil, and Moral Fear

48:20 Iconic Scenes and Lasting Imagery

52:37 Pacing, Structure, and Narrative Choices

56:07 Character Development and Child Protagonists

01:00:49 Robert Mitchum’s Performance as a Horror Villain

01:04:42 Film Score, Sound Design, and Atmosphere

01:11:22 Why The Night of the Hunter Still Matters

01:18:33 Corrections, Context, and Extended Discussion

01:19:34 True Story Influences and Charles Laughton’s Direction

01:21:02 Release Problems, Critical Reception, and Reevaluation

01:27:14 Final Thoughts, Legacy, and Season Wrap-Up

Movies Referenced in This Episode

Listed by year of release

• The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)

• Nosferatu (1922)

• Frankenstein (1931)

• The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939)

• Dumbo (1941)

• The Night of the Hunter (1955)

• Marty (1955)

• Lady and the Tramp (1955)

• East of Eden (1955)

• Cape Fear (1962)

• My Fair Lady (1964)

• Onibaba (1964)

• Eraserhead (1977)

• Suspiria (1977)

• The Fox and the Hound (1981)

• Das Boot (1981)

• Blue Velvet (1986)

• Do the Right Thing (1989)

• Edward Scissorhands (1990)

• Perfect Blue (1997)

• The Big Lebowski (1998)

• Requiem for a Dream (2000)

• No Country for Old Men (2007)

• Coraline (2009)

• Black Swan (2010)

• The Shape of Water (2017)

• Suspiria (2018)

• Midsommar (2019)

• Us (2019)

• Bo Is Afraid (2023)

  Lisa Frankenstein (2024)