DETOUR

Cinemavixion Review

Edgar G. Ulmer's "Detour" is a masterclass in low-budget noir, a chilling descent into fate and desperation. Tom Neal delivers a compelling performance as Al Roberts, a down-on-his-luck pianist whose cross-country hitchhiking trip spirals into a nightmare of mistaken identity and blackmail. The film masterfully uses its stark visuals and claustrophobic atmosphere to amplify Al's growing dread. Ann Savage is unforgettable as the predatory femme fatale, Vera, her venomous presence driving the narrative to its inevitable, tragic conclusion. Despite its modest origins, "Detour" garnered critical acclaim, including a near-perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes, and remains a potent exploration of how one wrong turn can unravel a life. Its compact runtime and relentless pacing make it an essential watch for any aficionado of classic crime cinema.