There’s literally one character in the entire thing who isn’t obviously despicable, and I’m not too optimistic about the moralist reporter. It’s just laden with sleaze. Watch for the early shot of a sink full of dirty dishes and assume it’s symbolic foreshadowing, because it is.

It’s fun seeing peak slimeball Dan Duryea, it’s nice seeing Edward G. Robinson playing against type, and Joan Bennett is on point with her blithe, guiltless avarice. Lang, as always, knows what chiaroscuro is for.