1983 · drama · thriller · horror

The Fourth Man (1983)

Directed by Paul Verhoeven · 1h 38m · 1983

Morbid Catholic writer Gerard Reve–bisexual, alcoholic, and experiencing frequent visions of death–is invited to give a lecture at the Vlissingen literature club. While in the Amsterdam railway station, he's attracted to a handsome man who embarks on another train. Gerard meets club treasurer and beautician Christine Halsslag, and engage in a one-night-stand. The next morning, Gerard sees a picture of Christine's boyfriend Herman and recognises him as the man at the train station. He urges her to bring Herman to her house to spend a couple of days together, but with ulterior intentions of seduction. During a night on his own, Gerard finds and watches film reels, discovering that Christine had married each; all of whom died in tragic accidents. Believing Christine is a Black Widow, Gerard begins to question whether Herman or he will be her doomed fourth man.

Our read: The Fourth Man (1983) (1983) reads as a heavy, steady, surreal drama · thriller · horror entry — measured in intensity, intimate in scope, cold in temperature, nihilistic in outlook, with a strong directorial signature.