My Cousin Rachel (1952)

In the early 1830s, young Philip Ashley finds himself ensnared in a web of suspicion and desire, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Cornish coast of England. After the death of his parents, Philip is raised under the guardianship of his wealthy older cousin, Ambrose Ashley, in the grandeur of a manor house. Ambrose's departure for Florence, driven by health concerns and the need to escape the harsh English winters, leaves Philip feeling a deep sense of loss. Ambrose's letters from Florence bring news of unexpected love and a hasty marriage to the widowed Rachel Sengelletti, a British native who relocated to Italy after her first marriage. However, what begins as a tale of newfound romance quickly transforms into a chilling narrative. In subsequent letters, Ambrose's handwriting deteriorates, his language grows frantic, and he speaks of betrayal and torment at the hands of his wife. When Philip arrives in Florence, the city of love has lost its charm, replaced by an ominous shadow. Ambrose had died three weeks earlier from a brain tumor, the same affliction that claimed Ambrose's father. The news of Rachel's hasty departure from Florence following Ambrose's death, together with the disconcerting letters, plants a seed of suspicion in Philip's mind. He is convinced that Rachel may have murdered Ambrose for his wealth. The plot thickens as Philip invites Rachel to Cornwall, intending to confront her. However, Rachel is not the wizened, cold-hearted woman Philip had imagined. Instead, she is young, vibrant, and stunningly attractive. Philip, now entangled in a dangerous dance of attraction and mistrust, falls deeply in love with her. As Philip's twenty-fifth birthday approaches, he finds himself on the precipice of inheriting Ambrose's estate. Rachel's debt-ridden state and the knowledge of Ambrose's intent to bequeath his estate to her, prompts Philip to consider signing over the estate to her—whether or not she agrees to marry him. However, as Philip is drawn deeper into Rachel's magnetic pull, he cannot shake off the chilling possibility of Rachel's murderous intent. A potential alliance between Rachel and her Italian lawyer, Guido Rainaldi, raises questions of a deadly plot for wealth, leaving Philip to question if he's next in line. In this captivating tale of love, suspicion, and treachery, Philip must grapple with the possibility that the object of his affection could also be his demise.

My Cousin Rachel is a drama movie featuring Olivia de Havilland and directed by Henry Koster.

It is possible to buy My Cousin Rachel on Amazon Video, Apple TV, DIRECTV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.