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Detour (1945)

1945 • 1h 8m • Drama, Thriller • NR
On September 23, 2026
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All reviews

John Chard on Detour

9/10 · Apr 19, 2020

It feels like a grim, inescapable dream as Detour unfolds, and its brevity makes you wish it lasted longer. The narrative follows Al Roberts on a journey, presenting a series of incidents—accompanied by narration—that find him stranded in a desolate location, worried about what’s to come. The film has a consistently dark atmosphere, largely thanks to Tom Neal's subtle portrayal of Roberts and Ann Savage's memorably irritating performance as Vera, the femme fatale. Created for almost no money and completed in just one week, it clearly bears the hallmarks of a low-budget production—a sleazy feel and less-than-impressive technical aspects are evident throughout. However, this kind of oppressive atmosphere is something that wealth simply can’t purchase; here, the unpredictable nature of destiny deals out harsh blows within a film noir setting. When it was first released, it was considered just another minor "B" movie from a small studio and largely went unnoticed. Not long after, “French” filmmakers recognized its value, and over time, it has earned renewed critical attention. Eventually, directors like Scorsese and the Coen Brothers acknowledged its impact and happily incorporated its influence into their own work. Edgar G. Ulmer directed this film ("The Black Cat," "Bluebeard," "Strange Illusion," "Ruthless"), demonstrating his skill in economical filmmaking and crafting compelling stories. It earns a rating of 9/10.

Source on TMDB