“Deathtrap” is a 1982 movie based on a play written by Ira Levin, directed by Sidney Lumet, and includes a stellar cast that features Michael Caine, Christopher Reeve, and Dyan Cannon.

It is a riveting thriller with a plot that has many layers, like an onion being peeled. Movies adapted from stage plays often share common characteristics, such as a single location, like a well-furnished home in this case, and a great ensemble cast.

The cast of “Deathtrap” includes veteran thespian Michael Caine, Christopher Reeve, Dyan Cannon in the main roles, and a couple more good actors in supporting roles.

Christopher Reeve took on this role after completing “Superman II” to be recognized as a legitimate actor, and he achieves this objective admirably. While some criticized Dyan Cannon’s performance, I found her portrayal convincing as a manic, high-strung individual.

The plot opens with devastated veteran playwright Sidney Bruhl (Michael Caine) returning to his home in East Hampton, NY, after his latest play is panned by critics and audiences.

Sidney is married to Myra Bruhl, a paranoid, hair-triggered, and easily excitable woman with a heart condition. Myra is a dutiful wife who does all she can to cheer up her despondent husband, but her efforts are in vain.

Fate seems to be rubbing salt in Sidney’s wounds. Upon arriving at his mansion, Sidney receives a manuscript from a young aspiring playwright, Clifford Anderson, who attended Sidney’s writing workshop.

After reading the manuscript, Sidney realizes that the young man has created an ingenious, almost perfect script for a play named “Deathtrap.” Myra, unable to see her husband wallow in misery, insists that Sidney invite the young man over, hoping they might collaborate to polish up the script and jointly take credit for the play.

Sidney cynically suggests that maybe he should kill the young man and present the play to Broadway as his own. While Sidney tries to pass this off as a joke, Myra (and the audience) are uncertain whether Sidney would actually go through with such a plan. As expected, Sidney invites the young man to his house.

Sydney’s house is decorated with numerous weapons used as stage props in many of his own plays. These include numerous knives, guns and a few odd items like handcuffs. Some of these will play an important part in the constantly changing plot. Clifford Anderson arrives in East Hampton, and Sydney picks him up at the airport. They arrive at Sidney’s home, where they are warmly greeted by Myra.

After exchanging pleasantries, the conversation soon turns uncomfortable. Noticing her husband’s uneasy state of mind, Myra has a meltdown and begins to implore Clifford to collaborate with Sidney on the manuscript. However, Clifford is confident in his play as it is and politely but firmly refuses to work with Sidney.

As Clifford is about to leave, Sidney distracts him by showing him one of his props, a set of handcuffs that Sidney claims is a trick used by the great Houdini. Sidney convinces Clifford to try them on, and to his horror, Clifford realizes he cannot break free. Tensions mount as Clifford senses danger and claims that someone is aware he is visiting the Bruhls.

Seeing through his bluff, Sidney strangulates the young man, who is shackled in the handcuffs, shocking his wife. This is only the first layer of the onion. Just then, Irene Worth Helga, a new neighbor of the Bruhls, pays them a visit.

Claiming to be a psychic, she enters the house and immediately senses pain surrounding the home, warning the Bruhls of grave danger. The stage is set for the next act, a diabolical turn of events.

More thrills and surprises quickly unfold as the screenplay progresses, culminating in a shocking and unpredictable finale. “Deathtrap” is packed with jealousy, professional rivalry, mind games, and murder. It maintains its intensity until the very end. Indeed, it is a hidden gem and a must-see. As of this writing, it is available to watch for free on Tubi. Do watch it before it’s gone.