Madeleine Elster is a fictional character from the 1958 film Vertigo, directed by Alfred Hitchcock. She is portrayed by actress Kim Novak and serves as the central figure in the film's complex narrative. Madeleine is depicted as a mysterious woman who captivates the protagonist, Scottie Ferguson, played by James Stewart, leading him into a web of obsession and intrigue. In the film, Madeleine is believed to be the reincarnation of Carlotta Valdes, a tragic figure from the past. Her character embodies themes of love, loss, and the psychological effects of obsession, making her a pivotal element in the story's exploration of identity and reality.