M

Berlin in the early 1930s is rattled by a cold blooded killer who preys on children, a figure known to the public by name as Hans Beckert. The citywide response is a sprawling police operation, while the underworld, fearing disruption to its own markets, keeps a wary eye on the streets. The pursuit sweeps through crowded avenues, markets, tenements, and silent stairwells as detectives like Inspector Karl Lohmann and Inspector Groeber push every lead, chase every alley, and coordinate across precincts. Beckert moves with nervous energy, trying to blend into crowds, change his routine, and avoid being spotted. He senses the net tightening and faces the terror of being caught, cornered, and punished. The film uses stark black and white imagery to convey fear, and its pacing lets you feel the pulse of a city under pressure.

Directed by Fritz Lang, adapting Thea von Harbou's screenplay, M arrived in 1931 as a landmark German thriller. Its deliberate pacing, stark urban textures, and sound design helped redefine the possibilities of crime drama in the early talkie era.

Over the decades M is cited as a milestone in cinema. Peter Lorre's chilling portrayal of Beckert, the spare yet menacing cityscape, and the distinctive whistled motif signaling danger influenced a generation of thrillers and set a template for suspense in sound. Its influence extends into later police procedurals and urban crime sagas.

Critics praised Lang's economical storytelling and the uneasy ethics he raises around punishment and collective fear. The film explores mob psychology, the way crowds react to crime, and the tension between vigilantism and formal justice, offering a sharp portrait of a metropolis on edge.

Box office revenue was about 35,274 dollars, reflecting a modest commercial footprint for a 1931 release. The movie earned attention through word of mouth and critical praise, and its reputation grew long after audiences left the theater. Its enduring status on screen cements M as a foundational work in cinema.