Wait Until Dark (1967) is a Riveting Thriller

I know someone is there, I can sense something.

After turning off the lights, Wait Until Dark is a 1967 thriller. Susy Hendrix, a blind woman, is tormented by three men stalking her apartment who want to retrieve a doll filled with heroin that unknowingly comes into Susy’s possession. Susy fights back to save herself, using her hearing to catch the thieves.

This is a movie that was ahead of its time. Wait Until Dark is one of my favorite thrillers and it scared me the first time I watched it. It’s an effective thriller directed with precision in every shot. This film is an integral example of never messing with anyone who has a disability.

Audrey Hepburn was an incredible actress. Hepburn challenged herself, staying in a frantic state, but her courage never ends. For her role as Susy Hendrix, Hepburn trained at the Lighthouse for the Blind in New York. She wanted to be authentic, taking Braille lessons and practicing daily activities while wearing black shields over her eyes.

Susy is an extraordinary example of the blind culture. Despite being blind, Susy never stops fighting becoming a top sleuth using her ears to distinguish noises. She listens to shoes closely.

Who else didn’t believe the late Alan Arkin played the evil Roat? I still don’t! Arkin is menacing as Roat who tortures poor Susy. That’s one of the reasons why Arkin got the part. No other actors were willing to torture Hepburn.

The supporting cast includes Richard Crenna, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Jack Weston, and Julie Herrod. Every interaction Susy has is important to the dynamics and the story.

The most important dynamic is Susy and Gloria’s, played by Julie Herrod who also played Gloria in the stage adaptation. Though Susy is stubborn about help, she puts faith in Gloria to be her eyes. Gloria is a resourceful child and becomes the hero. Her character is used resourcefully in the story, instead of being the helpless kid, like in most films.

One character who I have mixed opinions on is Sam, (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) Susy’s husband. Their relationship needed more fleshing out. Sam is barely in the story. Susy should have lived alone or known Sam longer to acquaint their backstory.

The filmmaking is the most integral part of Wait Until Dark. Terance Young conducted the cinematography and every camera angle with supreme precision. The film is primarily set within the confines of Susy’s apartment. The apartment plays an essential setting, with all objects established in key places for staging.

Although the film is not entirely from Susy’s perspective, audiences grasp her situation. Not only did Young build tension, he boldly documented a positive representation of disabilities. Never take advantage of anyone who has a disability. Despite the obstacle, people with disabilities are more perceptive than you realize.

Susy’s disability makes the film all the more frightening. Stephen King agrees, citing Wait Until Dark as one of the scariest movies ever. In the climax, the screen is tinted black, representing two elements of darkness. As Arkin described it, attending a screening of Wait Until Dark was wild.

I remember after the first time I watched this movie, my grandmother was upstairs and threw down a blanket and a pillow. Since I was still on edge from the movie, I jumped out of my skin and almost screamed.

Wait Until Dark is an innovative and riveting thriller that continues to captivate modern audiences. I would love to watch this movie in a theater setting. This film is a must-watch for psychological horror fans.