Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)
A drama critic discovers his sweet aunts are serial murderers, leading to darkly comic and briskly paced mayhem.
Mortimer Brewster, a newspaper drama critic, playwright, and author known for his diatribes against marriage, suddenly falls in love and gets married; but when he makes a quick trip home to tell his two maiden aunts, he finds out his aunts' hobby - killing lonely old men and burying them in the cellar!
How intense is Arsenic and Old Lace?
Arsenic and Old Lace has light gore and some violence. Emotionally it carries some weight. The pace is brisk, and it is a full-attention watch and a date-night pick. The humor runs dry and dark.
What Arsenic and Old Lace feels like
- Tone
- darkly comicwhimsicalcampypulpy
- Pace
- Brisk
- Humor
- dry and witty, dark and satirical
- Best for
- Full attentionDate nightParty
Where to stream Arsenic and Old Lace
Not on a US subscription service at our last check. Rent or buy may still be an option.
US availability via TMDB, last checked Sep 10, 2026. The app filters picks to the services you actually have.
Is Arsenic and Old Lace for you?
Is Arsenic and Old Lace scary?
No. Arsenic and Old Lace is not a scary watch (scare level 0 of 3).
Is Arsenic and Old Lace gory or violent?
Light gore (1 of 3) and some violence (1 of 3).
Is Arsenic and Old Lace sad or heavy?
A little. There is some emotional weight (1 of 3), but it is not a heavy watch.
How long is Arsenic and Old Lace?
Arsenic and Old Lace runs 1h 58m.
Where can I stream Arsenic and Old Lace?
Arsenic and Old Lace is not on a US subscription service right now (rent or buy may still be an option).
Does Arsenic and Old Lace have a happy ending? spoiler-safe answer
Yes. It lands on a happy note.
Cast and crew
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