Described as one of Hitchcock's favourite films, this voyeuristic thriller is often loaded with misogyny and psychologising but is eminently watchable. Sweating it out during a humid New York summer, Jeff occupies himself with the affairs of those around him. He watches their comings and goings, their conflicts and relationships from the privacy of his wheelchair. The relationships are of particular interest to him. Wanting to retain Lisa's affections but unprepared to commit to marriage, Jeff draws on the behaviour of his neighbours, and particularly women, to justify his reticence.
Women are flirtatious or needy, sexually voracious or virtually frigid and always nagging.
The ballerina, aka Miss Torso, who lives in the small flat opposite is described as the 'eat, drink and be merry girl'. Somewhat of a flirt, she is constantly entertaining a stream of men. Living on the ground floor is her opposite - a woman referred to as Miss Lonelyhearts. Then there are the married couples. One couple sleep head to toe on a mattress perched on their balcony.