Whirlpool (1950 film)

Whirlpool is a 1950 American film noir directed by Otto Preminger, starring Gene Tierney, José Ferrer, and Richard Conte. The film tells the story of Ann Sutton (Tierney), a woman whose life is disrupted when she becomes entangled with a manipulative hypnotist named Korvo (Ferrer).

Ann, the wife of a successful psychoanalyst, Dr. William Sutton (Conte), is caught shoplifting, a crime she doesn't remember committing. Korvo, offering his supposed assistance, uses hypnosis to exploit her vulnerabilities and further entangle her in a web of deceit. He involves her in a murder plot, using his hypnotic powers to control her actions and make her a suspect.

As Ann struggles to understand what is happening to her, her husband and a dedicated police detective investigate Korvo's past and his hypnotic techniques. The film explores themes of manipulation, guilt, psychological trauma, and the power of suggestion. The narrative unfolds with twists and turns, gradually revealing Korvo's sinister motivations and the extent of his control over Ann. The film culminates in a dramatic confrontation as Dr. Sutton and the police race to save Ann from Korvo's deadly plan and expose his crimes.