Bette Davis plays a faded child star tormenting her paraplegic sister, played by Joan Crawford, in a decaying Hollywood mansion, and the real-life rivalry between the two stars crackles in every scene. Robert Aldrich's gothic melodrama helped launch a whole cycle of aging-actress horror. If you love camp with genuine menace, catch it during its brief IFC run.
What to expect
A 134-minute DCP screening at IFC Center's Sixth Avenue theater in Greenwich Village, chosen by a staff member for the Staff Picks series. Showtimes post on IFC's site closer to the date, and the audience skews toward classic-film fans who know every Davis line.
Good to know
- IFC Center is at 323 Sixth Ave at West 3rd St; the A, B, C, D, E, F or M to West 4th St is steps away.
- Check IFC's film page for showtimes, which are posted closer to the run.
- Assistive listening and T-coil support are available.
- IFC Center does not issue content advisories, so check other sources if you are sensitive to cruelty on screen.
- It plays only two days, so do not wait for a second weekend.
Going? Keep it.
The whole weekend, in one email.
Friday at 5pm, one email. Unsubscribe anytime.
Common questions
Who stars in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, with Victor Buono, Maidie Norman, Anna Lee and Marjorie Bennett.
How long does it play at IFC Center?
IFC Center lists it for October 9–10, 2026, as part of Staff Picks 2026.
