_Rope_ is often praised for its technical ambition but falls flat in genuine suspense. The single-take gimmick overshadows the storytelling, leaving it feeling more like a stage play trapped in a cinematic format. Jimmy Stewart’s earnest charm feels misplaced here; his usual gravitas is oddly muted, making his presence more distracting than commanding. John Dall is the real standout, injecting a sinister flair into an otherwise tepid cast. The much-lauded homosexual subtext can’t compensate for the lack of tension or stakes. A fascinating experiment, but certainly not Hitchcock at his best.

**It ends with a shot** Like no film ever did that.

Somebody should have stopped Hitchcock from all this innovating business…