Insomnia
User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 178 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 152 out of 178
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 178
  3. Negative: 14 out of 178

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  1. Famousdog
    Dec 14, 2011
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. An exceptional film, but not "better than" the original Norwegian version. The original is creepier and more morally compromised than the American version. Pacino's Dormer is ultimately redeemed, whilst Skargard's Engstom is not.… Expand
  2. stoner839
    Feb 21, 2011
    9
    Christopher Nolan knocks one out of the park again. Insomnia is everything you want in a crime thriller. He manages to cultivate and maintain an atmosphere of general dread, malice and suspense. Al Pacino is as great as we expect him to be and Robin Williams is something a bit more unexpected but completely welcomed. Filled with outstanding performances, beautiful cinematography, and terrific editing. Not to mention incredibly well written and directed, all thanks to Christopher Nolan. (With no small thanks going to the original short story written by Jonathan Nolan.)… Expand
  3. StevenF
    Oct 8, 2013
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The humble beginnings of Christopher Nolan became quite popular after he took over the Batman reigns, 'Insomnia' offers a thoughtful and intriguing concept in a typical story of homicide. Al Pacino plays the gruff and seasoned detective sent to the mountainous regions of Alaska to investigate the murder of a young teen girl, but we immediately begin to understand the life of Pacinos character, Will Dormer. He knows the ins and outs of how to study a crime scene, looking for the little details, but he also seems exhausted, soaking up life through routine as a man who has seen it all, tired, possibly bored but still able to show up the young blood at any given turn. His younger partner Eckhart (Martin Donovan) respects the decisions of his superior, but he also has the opportunity to give evidence against his older counterpart to Internal Affairs, but their motive in the film is to help out with the murder, where Dormor finds a fan on young and motivated cop Ellie Burr (Hilary Swank), hangs onto every word of the ageing detective. But we he an unexpected and thrilling introduction to the person responsible for the crime, ***SPOILERS*** Dormor and his men stakeout a clue and tragedy strikes when Dormor shoots and kills his partner, this was an accident, right? Dormor is overcome with guilt to the point where he cannot admit his mistake, but one person knows what he did, that person is the man responsible for the young girls death. Robin Williams plays the calm and sophisticated writer, who tells Dormor that it was all an accident, we now have a cat and mouse game, the scenes Pacino and Williams share are excellent, two fine actors, Williams in particular, who proves his talent yet again for dramatic roles, but this style of storytelling is truly fascinating because of its revelations halfway through the film, which are brought down by simplistic and routine Hollywood chase sequences and silly throw-ins to give that blockbuster touch, which are unnecessary, especially when the thrill of the chase, all through dialogue and performances, is already so interesting. Pacino is excellent as the now sleep-deprived cop, who can't even rest away from the world, while Williams plays a cunning adversary who has it all worked out, as he keeps telling us, but its rough justice which wins out, Nolan sets it in remote parts to capture the essence of being alone with your thoughts, while still not escaping the ramifications of something that makes you run away.… Expand
  4. Tss5078
    Feb 22, 2013
    8
    Insomnia was the second major motion picture by acclaimed writer/director, Christopher Nolan. Even in the most early stages of his career, it's easy to see his genius, that's why so many big stars wanted to work with him right away. Insomnia is the least well known of all his films and does lack some of the things that have become Nolan's trademark, but it's still a terrific film. The story follows two L.A. Detectives sent to a remote part of Alaska, where the sun doesn't set for six months and then doesn't rise for six months. They're there to solve a brutal and calculated murder, but circumstances lead them down a different path. Despite being one of the best Hollywood has to offer, I haven't really been much of a Pacino fan. To me, it seemed as though he had lost something with age, his performance in Insomnia proved me wrong. Terrific is not the word for what Al Pacino was and he's not the only genius Nolan surrounded himself with. This film is incredibly well written and being the perfectionist that he is, Nolan got only the best people to star in it. It's not the kind of Nolan film, we've been spoiled with over the past 10 years, but Insomnia is a great story, with an unbelievable cast and in my opinion is a must see.… Expand
  5. AlvaradoKTA
    Mar 28, 2013
    8
    Directed by Nolan and starring Al Pacino, Insomnia is nothing short of a thrilling masterpiece. This is a great film for lovers of psychological thrillers.
  6. axelkoch
    Aug 21, 2013
    4
    Even though Nolan has several good approaches, Insomnia is nothing more than generic, unspectacular, and forgettable in the long run. Hillary Seitz’s adapted screenplay is laden with crime show stereotypes and gratuitous dialogue but lacks real character development or any unique elements. The best example for this is Hilary Swank who obviously has the most unfavourable role as an aspiring assistant detective that wants nothing more than to get advise from the old-established cop. Due to all of that, remarkable achievements in terms of visuals can’t help the film anymore than Pacino’s dedicated acting and Insomnia is best watched on a weekday evening while eating lunch and conversing with your partner.… Expand
  7. StaticSpine
    Mar 26, 2014
    8
    Good director, great actors, a story with some twists and a lot of moral dilemmas. The movie keeps in tension. Overall, a decent detective/thriller/drama movie.
  8. cameronmorewood
    Nov 17, 2012
    9
    It's brilliantly cast and stunningly effective.
  9. Masterpiecx
    Mar 9, 2013
    8
    Insomnia isn't so complex and good constructed how other Nolan movies,it doesn't give a big twist at the end or something like that,it isn't mind-blowing and this disturbs me a little.But the story line is still great.The idea,that killing is just evil,when you kill deliberate is brilliant and the cast is perfect. It is not an action blockbuster ,not explosions and so on.Insomnia is thrilling,entertaining and profound.A great movie,that unfortunately be ignored in Nolan's film series.… Expand
  10. tomtom4468
    Feb 4, 2013
    9
    While this is definitely not the best Christopher Nolan film, this was still an amazing film. The cast was amazing and the story was amazing. Finally, we see Robin Williams doing something other than bad comedy.
  11. BrianMcCritic
    Jun 19, 2013
    8
    Probably my least favorite Christopher Nolan movie, which says a lot for Nolan. Al Pacino and Hillary Swank give good performances, but the stand out is Robin Williams.
  12. Kiva
    Jul 8, 2013
    7
    Insomnia is a great thriller with a great plot and some fascinating actors like Al Pacino and Hillary Swank. It is not a masterpiece like Se7en but you will not get bored and you will like the film. It doesn´t have something special but it is just an entertaining crime film with some suspense in it
  13. RayzorMoose
    Nov 12, 2013
    6
    Insomnia will keep you awake.
    Al Pacino stars in the mystery thriller that entertains but fails to reach a conclusion. A very well directed idea with a sub-par ending that doesn't allow it to reach its potential.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 36 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 36
  3. Negative: 1 out of 36
  1. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Lou Lumenick
    100
    A rare case of an American remake that actually improves on a European movie.
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  2. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Marjorie Baumgarten
    78
    Nolan creates an effective thriller, although he keeps his stylistic pyrotechnics to a minimum.
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  3. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Mike Clark
    100
    A perfect fit between filmmaker (Memento's Christopher Nolan) and material (Norway's same-name psycho-chiller from 1997), this remake gets all there is to get out of a peculiar premise with promise.
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