(In addition to starring) the perfectly paired Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn — who seems to know precisely how adorable she is in this particular role — ... it’s got a fast-moving, twist-filled plot, too. The result is a funny and stylish old-school romp.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Aug 14, 2024

Some of its scenes are there just to let the two stars be their usual elegant selves in Parisian locations: Hepburn’s Givenchy wardrobe is a treat in itself. Yet all this refinement doesn’t keep the film from acting tough at times.

| Nov 14, 2022

Hepburn combined comic timing with her trademark grace and the wide-eyed innocence she’s known for.

| Sep 12, 2022

It’s a lark of a thriller in the manner of Hitchcock’s 'To Catch a Thief' and 'North by Northwest,' with a sparkling wit and the visual grace of a director who can turn action into dance...

| Jun 3, 2022

It's almost a cliche at this point to call Charade the best Alfred Hitchcock film not directed by Hitchcock. Yet, there's an undeniable truth behind the claim.

| Original Score: 4/4 | Feb 17, 2022

Takes a script which would grace a Hitchcock film and allows its two stars to revel in pulling it apart.

| Feb 10, 2021

Honestly, if you're looking for a glossy, weightless diversion, this is a fine one.

| Nov 10, 2020

Quick and quippy and fun

| Oct 19, 2020

Directed with an arched eyebrow by Stanley Donen, the film was released just weeks after John F Kennedy's assassination, giving shellshocked Americans a welcome bite of Hollywood candyfloss.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Apr 12, 2020

Since the plot does not bear close tracking, let me note simply that Cary Grant still looks imperishable, Audrey Hepburn still looks like a Givenchy foundling, and the entire affair is carried off as a mild joke upon itself.

| Mar 3, 2020

Charade allows itself to get slightly tangled up in its own plot.

| Mar 3, 2020

It integrates comedy with a deep, dark mystery and winds up with a wild chase through the Paris subway. Admittedly, there are some incongruities and illogical situations, but the chances are that the viewers will be having too good a time to notice them.

| Mar 3, 2020

Few thrillers create as much sheer joy and happiness as Charade, in which Cary Grant spoofs his Alfred Hitchcock persona, Audrey Hepburn exudes her usual magnetic charm, and Paris is as scenic as ever.

| Mar 3, 2020

Throw in some interesting corpses, some thrilling action scenes and piquant moments of romance and you have it. A thoroughly polished comedy.

| Mar 3, 2020

This absolutely wonderful comedy thriller from Stanley Donen (co-director, with Gene Kelly, of On the Town and Singin' in the Rain) nearly out-Hitchcocks Hitchcock.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Mar 3, 2020

The film has the laughter and excitement of Hitchcock, without the sadism.

| Oct 14, 2019

...not a single thing is taken seriously in Charade.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 29, 2019

Charade is able to successfully transcend the romance, comedy, and suspense thriller genres because of the cast, screenplay, and score.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Feb 24, 2019

A novel, auteur-driven film populated with reliably charismatic stars; even at the age of 50 it leaves most modern produce in the dust. It was also a hit. Five decades later, why has Hollywood not learnt their lesson?

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jan 14, 2013

Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn transcend several genres

| Original Score: 4/5 | Apr 18, 2012