Alfred Hitchcock is one of the greatest names in the history of cinema. Forty-five years after his death, he continues to inspire directors such as Steven Spielberg, Roman Polanski, and many others. In 2012, his personal life and career became the basis for the biographical film ‘Hitchcock’ by director Sacha Gervasi, which focused on the creation of one of his greatest masterpieces — ‘Psycho’. Yet behind the master of suspense lay a deeply contradictory personal life, in which his relationship with his wife Alma Reville played a central role.
Hitchcock’s personality has always intrigued biographers. His films were filled with layered metaphors touching on themes of sexuality. Just recall the famous scene in North by Northwest (1959), where a train enters a tunnel at the moment the characters kiss — a blatant symbol from a man whom biographer Peter Ackroyd described as almost celibate.
Hitchcock’s relationship with his wife, Alma Reville, was both romantic and creative. Alma became his closest collaborator and confidante, taking part in screenwriting, editing, and even making decisive changes to future masterpieces. However, their family life was emotionally restrained. According to Peter Ackroyd, author of Alfred Hitchcock: A Brief Life, the director had only one sexual experience in his life. This episode was with his wife, Alma Reville, and resulted in the conception of their only daughter, Patricia. According to sources, Hitchcock recalled that moment of intimacy without the slightest warmth.
Alfred Hitchcock with his wife and daughter
His rejection of intimate life with his wife, however, did not mean the absence of passion. Outside of marriage, his repressed desires manifested as aggression and toxicity toward other women, especially his actresses. The most painful example was his relationship with Tippi Hedren, the star of The Birds and Marnie. The actress spoke of harassment and control from the director: from surveillance to dictating her social circle. According to her, Hitchcock even attacked her once in a car. These events left a deep mark on the life of Melanie Griffith’s mother and Dakota Johnson’s grandmother.
Such behavior from the cinematic genius reveals the dark side of his personality, where suppressed sexuality and voyeurism—so present in his films—spilled over into real-life aggression and abuse toward women.
