The plot revolves around the pursuit of arch fiend Dr. Mabuse, a gambler, hypnotist, master of disguises and all-around criminal mastermind. Mabuse was the prototype for the sort of evil genius super-villains that would later become common in movies, whether it be in the James Bond pictures or in comic book adaptations like Superman and Batman. *"Superimpositions and juxtaposition craft meaning, while Lang readily proves himself the all-time best director of throngs, mobs comprising undulating, reaching arms gesturing together in hive-mind desire." - Jake Cole, **Movie Mezzanine***