The Stranger (1967 film)

The Stranger (1967 film) is a neo-noir psychological thriller directed by Luchino Visconti, starring Marcello Mastroianni and Anna Karina. It is an adaptation of Albert Camus's 1942 novel The Stranger (French: L'Étranger). The film closely follows the plot of the novel, focusing on Meursault, an emotionally detached Frenchman living in Algiers who becomes involved in a seemingly random act of violence.

The film explores themes of existentialism, alienation, and the absurdity of human existence, mirroring the philosophical ideas present in Camus's work. Meursault's indifference to societal norms and expectations, particularly surrounding death and grief, lead to his condemnation following the shooting of an Arab man on a beach.

Visconti's direction aims to capture the stark and detached atmosphere of the novel, emphasizing Meursault's emotional distance from the events around him. The film received mixed reviews upon its release, with some critics praising its faithfulness to the source material and others finding it lacking in emotional impact. It is considered a significant adaptation of Camus's novel and remains a subject of critical analysis in the context of existentialist cinema.