Bluebeard 1944

Public fear over Bluebeard murders

All Paris is terrified by a string of murders attributed to a killer known as Bluebeard. The city braces itself as fear and rumor spread about who will be next. Authorities struggle to identify a motive as the killings cast a pall over the capital.

Lucille meets Morrell and accepts a commission

Modiste Lucille is introduced to Gaston Morrell by a friend, and the two are quickly drawn to each other. She agrees to design costumes for his puppets, initiating a professional and romantic partnership. The collaboration marks the start of Morrell's dangerous preoccupation with women in his art.

Renee confronts Morrell and is killed

At home, Morrell's jealous lover Renee confronts him after suspecting his infidelity. In a fit of fury, he strangles her and disposes of the body in the Seine. The murder confirms Morrell's lethal turn and his control over his own life and art.

Art dealer Lamarte knows the truth but keeps it secret

Jean Lamarte, an art dealer, suspects Morrell's homicidal tendencies but keeps quiet to protect his profits. Morrell's unsettling paintings fetch high prices, which makes Lamarte complicit through neglectful silence. The dealer's greed threatens to unravel the killer's facade.

Duke's exhibition reveals a Bluebeard victim

Lamarte sells Morrell's last painting to a duke, hoping to secure a final payoff. When the duke exhibits the collection, a guard recognizes the portrait as one of Bluebeard's victims. The discovery brings law enforcement closer to Morrell's trail.

Lefevre enlists Francine to investigate

Inspector Lefevre calls in Francine, an undercover agent who is Lucille's sister, to probe Morrell's crimes. Francine and her 'father' visit Lamarte to have her portrait done, signaling the start of a dangerous game. The plan is to flush Morrell out through art and identification.

Morrell is pressured into one last painting

Morrell contemplates quitting painting out of love for Lucille, but Lamarte pressures him into producing one final work. The promise of financial freedom and reputational payoff drives him forward despite his misgivings. The painting becomes the spark that may seal his fate.

Francine recognizes Morrell

Francine recognizes Morrell, having met him briefly at her sister's apartment, and Morrell realizes he cannot risk exposure. He decides to eliminate Francine to protect his secret. The confrontation hastens the killer's crossing from art to murder.

Morrell eliminates Francine and Lamarte

After realizing the sister is connected to the police, Morrell eliminates Francine to silence the women who could expose him. Lamarte attempts to flee, but Morrell catches him and kills him as well. He leaves behind the cravat used to strangle Francine, a clue that will surface later.

Funeral reveals the cravat clue

At Francine's funeral, Inspector Lefevre shows Lucille the cravat Morrell used to strangle Francine. Lucille recognizes it as the one she had mended for him, confirming her suspicion of his guilt. The evidence tightens the case against Morrell.

Morrell reveals his motive and mind-set

Morrell recounts his past: as a starving art student he nursed a woman back to health who later vanished, and he painted her portrait. When his painting is chosen for the Louvre, he searches for her only to learn she was a prostitute, which enrages him and leads to her strangulation. Since then, every model he paints becomes that memory and drives him to kill again and again.

Lucille decides to go to the authorities; confrontation escalates

Lucille declares she will report the crimes to the authorities. Morrell begins strangling her as she resists, and the police break in just in time to intervene. Lefevre's earlier suspicions of the cravat help coordinate the intervention.