Repulsion (1965)

Last updated:
September 4, 2025

Roman Polanski’s Repulsion (1965) is often hailed as one of the greatest psychological horror films ever made. Shot in stark black and white, the movie dives deep into themes of repression, sexual trauma, and mental illness, with a chilling performance by Catherine Deneuve. Let’s explore the film in detail, covering its story, themes, and cinematic significance.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Introduction: Carol’s Isolated World

The film follows Carol Ledoux (Catherine Deneuve), a young Belgian woman working as a manicurist in London. From the beginning, Carol appears withdrawn and uneasy, often staring off into space or recoiling from men’s advances. She shares an apartment with her sister, Hélène, who has a boyfriend named Michael. Carol is visibly disturbed by their sexual relationship, hearing the noises they make at night and reacting with disgust and terror.

The Trigger: Abandonment and Paranoia

When Hélène leaves on a vacation with Michael, Carol is left alone in the apartment. This abandonment becomes the catalyst for Carol’s descent into madness. Time begins to lose meaning for her, and her fear of men turns into full-blown paranoia.

She begins hallucinating: cracks appear on the walls, hands emerge from the hallway and assault her, and rooms warp around her. These surreal moments blur the line between her reality and her psyche.

The Violence: Breaking Point

As Carol’s grip on reality unravels, her interactions with men become violent. When her landlord makes unwanted sexual advances, she brutally kills him with a razor. Later, when her would-be boyfriend Colin tries to break down her apartment door to check on her, she bludgeons him to death with a candlestick.

Her apartment, once a safe space, becomes a nightmarish prison filled with her visions of decay and intrusion.

Movie Ending

The climax of Repulsion is haunting. Hélène and Michael return from their trip and discover Carol in a catatonic state, lying under the bed among the bodies. The camera pans across the wreckage of the apartment, emphasizing how far gone Carol is.

The film ends with a lingering close-up on a childhood photograph of Carol with her family. In the picture, Carol’s gaze is directed not at the camera but away, toward her father, with an expression of discomfort and fear. This final image strongly implies that her deep-rooted trauma—and perhaps sexual abuse from her father—is the seed of her psychosis. It’s an ending that provides no closure, only a disturbing suggestion of the origins of Carol’s mental collapse.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Repulsion does not have a post-credits scene. The film predates the modern trend of bonus sequences. Its final image of the childhood photograph is the definitive closing note.

Type of Movie

Repulsion is a psychological horror thriller. Rather than relying on gore or jump scares, it builds terror through atmosphere, claustrophobic visuals, and the slow unraveling of its protagonist’s mind.

Cast

Catherine Deneuve as Carol Ledoux
Yvonne Furneaux as Hélène Ledoux
John Fraser as Colin
Patrick Wymark as the Landlord
Ian Hendry as Michael

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Chico Hamilton, a jazz drummer and bandleader. His eerie, minimalist jazz-infused score adds a surreal rhythm to Carol’s descent into madness, making the audience feel unsettled even in the quieter moments.

Filming Locations

The movie was filmed primarily in London, particularly around South Kensington. The apartment where most of the film takes place was a constructed set. The claustrophobic setting plays a vital role—it mirrors Carol’s mind as it cracks and collapses. The walls literally seem to close in on her as her paranoia intensifies.

Awards and Nominations

Repulsion received critical acclaim and several awards:

Silver Bear – Extraordinary Jury Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival (1965).
Named one of the greatest British films in multiple polls, despite being directed by Polanski, a Polish filmmaker.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Roman Polanski described the film as an experiment in psychological horror using minimal characters and settings.
Catherine Deneuve initially struggled with the role, as she was naturally reserved but had never tapped into such disturbing psychological territory on screen.
Many hallucination sequences were achieved with simple practical effects—like stretching rubber through holes in the walls to create grasping hands.
The film was shot on a very low budget, forcing Polanski to rely on creativity rather than expensive set pieces.

Inspirations and References

The film was inspired by Polanski’s fascination with psychological states and by stories of women driven to madness through isolation and trauma. It also draws from surrealist cinema and the Gothic tradition of “the haunted woman.”

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no widely known alternate endings or deleted scenes. The film was released almost exactly as Polanski envisioned it—lean, uncompromising, and haunting.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Repulsion is not directly based on a book, though it shares themes with Gothic and psychological literature, particularly works exploring female hysteria and repression, such as Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s The Yellow Wallpaper.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Carol’s hallucination of hands emerging from the hallway walls to grab her.
The rotting rabbit carcass in the kitchen, symbolizing her decay and neglect.
The murder of Colin with a candlestick—sudden, brutal, and shocking.
The final shot of Carol’s childhood photograph, silently revealing her trauma.

Iconic Quotes

Colin: “You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”
Hélène: “You really must try and snap out of it, Carol.”
The Landlord: “You can’t keep living like this, Carol.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The cracks in the wall mirror Carol’s fractured state of mind.
The rabbit is never eaten, symbolizing neglect and decomposition both physically and psychologically.
Carol’s obsessive cleaning contrasts with the filth that grows around her, reflecting her futile attempt to control her inner turmoil.

Trivia

This was Roman Polanski’s first English-language film.
Catherine Deneuve became an international star thanks to her performance.
The movie was banned in some countries upon release due to its graphic sexual violence themes.

Why Watch?

Repulsion is a masterclass in psychological horror. It’s not just a film about madness—it makes the viewer feel madness through its camera work, sound design, and Deneuve’s haunting performance. If you want a horror film that lingers long after it ends, this one is essential.

Director’s Other Movies

Recommended Films for Fans

Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
The Tenant (1976)
Black Swan (2010)
The Yellow Wallpaper (1989)
Eraserhead (1977)

Repulsion (1965)