Les fantômes du chapelier (1982)

 

Labbé is a quiet hatter in a small town, living with his handicapped wife who never goes out. His neighbour, a tailor, is fascinated by him. A series of female murders shakes the town. Is Labbé involved?

From memory: In this film, Claude Chabrol seems to sum up his mastery of the art with a slickly made, macabre, ironic crime story full of Hitchcock elements and top performances by Serrault and Aznavour.​

Maltin*1/2: "Disappointing murder mystery...Potentially exciting thriller is badly handled." 

 

La Veuve Couderc (1971)

A thug who is on the run takes his refuge in a widow's farm.

Excellent Simenon adaptation is less crime thriller and rather a moving psychological drama with a tinge of romance.