This was written by the same people who did Diabolique and I think also Vertigo. It's similar to Hitchcock in theme but not in style. The director's other major film credit was a documentary about french slaughterhouses (it is included on this criterion DVD but I couldn't watch it, too jarring) and this story is told in a similar dry, dark sort of style. It doesn't have alot of the dialogue and character development of,say, "Psycho" but is sucessful and enjoyable in it's own way. The creepy image of the girl in the mask is unforgettable. highly recommended