How a 1998 thriller updated a Hitchcock classic for the era of high finance

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: When a wealthy trader plots to kill his wife for her fortune, he creates a complex web of deception that mirrors a 1954 masterpiece. This stylish remake trades London tennis for Manhattan boardrooms, proving that while the setting changes, the mechanics of a perfect crime remain dangerously seductive.

Directed by Andrew Davis and released in 1998, A Perfect Murder serves as a loose remake of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 film, Dial M for Murder. The narrative follows Steven Taylor, a Wall Street trader whose risky margin trades have left him on the verge of financial ruin. To secure a $100 million fortune, he orchestrates a plot to murder his wife, Emily, by hiring her lover, David Shaw—an ex-convict operating under a false identity. The film meticulously replicates key elements of the original, including the central mystery of a missing housekey and specific character interactions, while grounding the tension in the high-stakes environment of 1990s New York City.

The production, which began principal photography on October 14, 1997, and concluded in January 1998, utilized iconic locations like the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Manhattan. Despite its polished aesthetic and a cast featuring Michael Douglas, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Viggo Mortensen, the film received mixed critical reception. Critics like Roger Ebert praised its ability to maintain engagement, while others, such as James Berardinelli, argued it stripped away the nuance of the original. The film ultimately grossed over $128 million worldwide, though it remains a subject of debate regarding its necessity as a modern update.

Beyond the plot, the film functions as a cinematic homage. Emily is frequently seen carrying an Hermès Kelly bag, a subtle nod to Grace Kelly, the star of the 1954 version. The film’s title itself aligns with international translations of Hitchcock’s work, such as the Italian Il delitto perfetto. While the primary narrative concludes with Emily killing Steven in self-defense, an alternate ending exists on the Blu-ray release, offering a slightly different resolution to their final confrontation. Ultimately, the film stands as a study in how classic suspense mechanisms are adapted for contemporary audiences, even when the results divide critics.

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