A killer is stalking Bree Daniel (Fonda), a would-be actress and high-class call girl. Detective Klute (Sutherland) meets her while investigating the mysterious disappearance of a male relative. It's evident that Bree is a pivotal link in Sutherland's investigation, but she herself has no idea what that link is, which only makes her more vulnerable. Could she be next to disappear?

Director Pakula builds a creepy, paranoiac mood that makes for mesmerizing viewing. Fonda brings texture and dimension to the central role: part cynical, hardened hooker; part confused young woman; too frightened to let anyone into her life. (Fonda deservedly won the Best Actress Oscar that year.) Sutherland is effectively subdued as John "Klute." The result is truly spine-tingling.