The Stranger Within (1974): cast, story & where to watch

1974 · Film · ★ 6.9

The Stranger Within poster

Released in 1974, The Stranger Within is a mystery, science fiction and tv movie film directed by Lee Philips, running about 74 minutes. “Her unborn baby orders her to ignore her doctor...Forces her to abandon her husband...And compels her to do what no woman has ever done before...Who Is This Child?” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. Who is the father of Ann Collins’ baby? Her husband had a vasectomy years ago. And Ann hasn’t been with another man. Even more mysterious: as the baby grows inside her, Ann begins to change. She is beset by strange illnesses, pours tablespoons of salt on her food, turns the thermostat to 50 degrees, speed-reads academic tomes. But much bigger shocks are yet to come. Barbara Eden stars in this hypnotic, swiftly paced blend of horror and sci-fi from Richard Matheson, the popular and prolific writer who also penned the novel I AM LEGEND and several notable THE TWILIGHT ZONE scripts.

Who’s in it. The Stranger Within stars Barbara Eden as Ann Collins, George Grizzard as David Collins, Joyce Van Patten as Phyllis and David Doyle as Bob, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.9/10, The Stranger Within has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Stranger Within page.

If you liked it. Fans of The Stranger Within tend to enjoy Se7en, Psycho, Rear Window and Oldboy.

Frequently asked

Where can I watch The Stranger Within (1974)?
Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Stranger Within change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
Is The Stranger Within worth watching?
The Stranger Within holds an audience score of 6.9 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy mystery, science fiction and tv movie. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
Who stars in The Stranger Within?
The Stranger Within stars Barbara Eden, George Grizzard, Joyce Van Patten, David Doyle and Nehemiah Persoff.
When was The Stranger Within released?
The Stranger Within was released in 1974, with a runtime of about 74 minutes.