Common Sense Media Review
Brilliant '40s classic of mind-game suspense.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Gaslight
What's the Story?
In GASLIGHT, Paula Alquist (Ingrid Bergman) falls in love with Gregory Anton (Charles Boyer), a musician, and once they are married, he persuades her to move into the house she lived in as a child, which has been closed since her aunt was murdered there. Gregory seems solicitous and caring, but he isolates Paula from everyone and makes her doubt herself and her sanity. He convinces her that she's always losing things, that she sees things that are not there, that she's unstable and untrustworthy. Every night, while Gregory is away, the gaslights flicker and Paula hears noises from the attic. Gregory persuades her that these are just her delusions. Just as Paula's fragile hold on reality is about to break, she's visited by Brian Cameron (Joseph Cotten) of Scotland Yard. With his help, she learns that Gregory is using an assumed name, that he's a thief, and that he had known her late aunt, a famous singer. Cameron and Paula team up to stop Gregory from pulling off his devious plan.
Is It Any Good?
George Cukor's classic tale of suspense is a good way to begin a conversation about vulnerability and manipulation. Gregory is almost able to drive Paula mad by making her think she's mad already. By cutting her off from any outside reality, by coolly denying what she sees and hears for herself, by telling her over and over again that she is helpless and incompetent, he begins to turn her into the person he tells her that she is. Families can use this movie to discuss how some in positions of power are often accused of trying to "gaslight" those who disagree with their policies, and other situations in which manipulative people try to "gaslight" those around them.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the examples of vulnerability and manipulation depicted in this classic suspense movie.
What are some other examples of movie, TV, or book titles that later became popular terms to describe situations or behavior?
The term "gaslighting" has become more widely used since 2016. Why do you think that's the case, and what are some examples of "gaslighting" in current events?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 11, 1944
- On DVD or streaming : February 3, 2004
- Cast : Angela Lansbury , Charles Boyer , Ingrid Bergman
- Director : George Cukor
- Inclusion Information : Gay Movie Director(s) , Queer Movie Director(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Classic
- Topics : Family Stories , Activism ( Gender equality )
- Run time : 114 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 8, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate