A genuinely unsettling picture. The story centers on Dr. Gogol, an exceptionally skilled surgeon who develops an obsession with Yvonne Orlac, a performer in Horror Theatre. After encountering her and discovering that she is devoted to her husband, the celebrated pianist Stephen Orlac, he acquires a full-size replica of her and begins fantasizing about recreating Pygmalion’s creation of Galatea. Following a devastating train accident that leaves Stephen's hands irreparably damaged, Yvonne asks Gogol to intervene; he does so by removing the ruined limbs and replacing them with those taken from a recently executed killer—a criminal known for his expertise with knives. Mad Love stands out as an unusual older film, blending different elements together. It shifts between dreamlike sequences and moments that feel like they’re drawn from Grand Guignol theatre, all while maintaining an undercurrent of dark humor. With cinematography by Gregg Toland and Chester Lyons and direction from Karl Freund, this adaptation of Maurice Renard's novel creates a deeply memorable experience. Freund focuses on the doctor’s motivations as being driven by desire rather than outright madness, building suspense gradually until Peter Lorre (as Gogol) reaches a breaking point—a moment that is emphasized through skillful use of shadows which become part of the narrative itself. Lorre delivers an outstanding performance; he's disturbingly eccentric but also evokes empathy, making it difficult to look away from his captivating strangeness. Colin Clive, portraying Stephen Orlac, also gives a noteworthy performance, conveying a sense of anxiety and genuine emotional suffering. Frances Drake effectively portrays Yvonne’s emotional distress, which is central to the story's progression. Mad Love remains remarkably effective today as a horror/romance film with considerable influence. It’s worth watching in dim lighting to appreciate its many examples of cinematic artistry. 8.5/10

Source on TMDB