Movie · 1954 · Comedy, Romance, Drama · 1h 53m · NR · English
Curator score: 7.3/10 (209.1K ratings)
...the chauffeur's daughter who learned her stuff in Paris.
Overview
After her return from school in Paris, a playboy finally takes notice of his family's chauffeur's daughter Sabrina, who's long had a crush on him, but he questions his more serious brother's motives when he warns against getting involved with her.
Ratings
Curator score: 7.3/10
IMDb: 7.6/10
Letterboxd: 3.86/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
Metacritic: 72
TMDB: 7.5/10
Director
Billy Wilder
Production
Paramount Pictures
Cast
Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn, William Holden, Walter Hampden, John Williams, Martha Hyer, Joan Vohs, Marcel Dalio, Marcel Hillaire, Nella Walker, Francis X. Bushman, Ellen Corby, Marjorie Bennett, Emory Parnell, Nancy Kulp, Paul Harvey, Kay Riehl, Raymond Bailey, Ralph Brooks, Colin Campbell
Curator Review
Verdict
A glossy, wry romantic comedy-drama with real charm, elegant pacing, and a strong triangle at its center. It’s especially rewarding for viewers who like old Hollywood style, class-conscious romance, and Billy Wilder’s dry touch, though some modern viewers may find the age dynamics and romantic framing dated.
Best for
classic romance fans
Billy Wilder devotees
Audrey Hepburn admirers
viewers who enjoy class-and-wealth satire
fans of polished studio-era comedies
Skip if
you’re sensitive to dated age-gap romance
you want a fast, modern rom-com rhythm
you dislike upper-class wish-fulfillment stories
you prefer emotionally direct rather than lightly ironic romance
Overview
Sabrina is one of those studio-era romances that looks effortless while quietly doing a lot of work. It moves between fairy-tale glamour and social observation, using Paris, Long Island, and the Larrabee estate to frame a story about class, longing, and self-invention. Billy Wilder keeps the tone light, but there’s enough bite underneath to stop it from becoming pure confection.
Worth noting
Audrey Hepburn is the movie’s gravitational force, and the film knows it. The transformation arc is iconic, but what makes the movie endure is the contrast between her luminous presence and the guarded, transactional world around her. Humphrey Bogart and William Holden give the triangle a sharper, more cynical edge than the setup might suggest.
Bottom line
It’s not a perfect romance by contemporary standards, and some of its choices age awkwardly. Still, as a piece of classic Hollywood craftsmanship, it’s stylish, funny, and emotionally nimble, with enough wit and visual grace to justify its reputation.
Top Letterboxd reviews
Marian (4★) · 6503 likes
did audrey hepburn EVER get to kiss anyone her own age?
eely (3.5★) · 6005 likes
"I don't want to go to Paris. I want to die."
Aaron Michael (4★) · 3678 likes
IF HUMPHREY BOGART WEREN'T SO DAMN OLD, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A PERFECT MOVIE
sarah (4★) · 3472 likes
no one:
literally no one:
sabrina: im trying to kill myself with carbon monoxide but lemme just crack this window open so i can breathe a little while i die
russman (3.5★) · 2452 likes
You can only learn the proper way to boil water at a French culinary school
1963 · Comedy, Mystery, Romance · 1h 53m · NR · Curator 8.5/10 (289K ratings) · Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Philo, Pure Flix, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Bloodstream
A stylish romantic thriller with wit, chemistry, and polished mid-century charm.
1955 · Comedy, Romance · 1h 45m · NR · Curator 4.3/10 (115.2K ratings) · Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, TCM, Darkroom, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
A breezy, ironic look at desire and suburban temptation from the same era.
1959 · Comedy, Romance, Crime · 2h 3m · NR · Curator 9.7/10 (658.9K ratings) · Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, MGM Plus, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Another Wilder classic that balances farce, romance, and sharp comic timing.