Insomnia

Name: Insomnia
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Crime
Released: May 24, 2002
Duration: 118 min
Rating: 78
Cast: Al Pacino, Hilary Swank, Robin Williams

2002

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 37 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 504 Ratings

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8.4

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8.4	User Score Universal acclaim based on 504 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: May 24, 2002 | R

Starring: Al Pacino, Hilary Swank, Robin Williams

Summary: From acclaimed director Christopher Nolan ("Memento") comes the story of Will Dormer (Pacino), a veteran LAPD detective who travels to a small Alaskan town with his partner Hap (Donovan) to investigate the disturbing murder of a seventeen year-old girl. (Warner Bros.)

Director: Christopher Nolan

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 118 min

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Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Lou Lumenick

A rare case of an American remake that actually improves on a European movie. Read full review

100

Shawn Levy

About as good a movie as you could have hoped for. Really good. Hole-in-one good. Read full review

Todd McCarthy

Gripping, highly dramatic thriller that more than confirms the distinctive talent of young Brit helmer Christopher Nolan. Read full review

David Edelstein

Sensationally made and in patches pretty nerve-jangling. Read full review

Jami Bernard

Pacino is masterful as the sharp-witted, seen-it-all detective.

Mick LaSalle

Haunting psychological drama. Read full review

Michael Sragow

Nolan pushes the twilight-zone atmosphere so hard that it loses its capacity for mystery. When it's not assaulting us with jolting audiovisual expressions of fatigue, this movie plays like a pedestrian response to David Lynch's effortlessly eerie "Twin Peaks." Read full review

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User Reviews

A.Stevens

Jul 22, 2006

An excellent director combined with amazing actors(williams and pacino in particular) and a compelling script combine to make a highly successful and thrilling film.

1 of 2 users found this helpful

TrackerDevice

Nov 2, 2015

Intense, riveting, spectacular, these are the words to describe Insomnia. Al Pacino, Robin Williams, and Hilary Swank all give great performances to make this movie exciting to watch.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

gregors.

Oct 31, 2005

A very well made movie: the progression of the plot, the rythm, the images, the music. A super note to Al Pacino's high acting. With Donnie Brasco and the Heat 'face_à_face' scene with De Niro, it's, imo, of his reallly best work here. Full of nuances, small A very well made movie: the progression of the plot, the rythm, the images, the music. A super note to Al Pacino's high acting. With Donnie Brasco and the Heat 'face_à_face' scene with De Niro, it's, imo, of his reallly best work here. Full of nuances, small things in the way he reacts to some lines, his intonation, ....Very impressive artist. Robin Williams offers a very convincing 'counterpart', and the dialogues between Pacino & him work totally. David Julyan's score is of great quality, following the tone of Memento. Insomnia and Memento have many links, besides (flashes, camera moves, music, the ambiguity of the 'hero', etc...) A real good work, anyway; Thank you Christopher Nolan.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

BrianMcCritic

Jun 19, 2013

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.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Spangle

Oct 30, 2015

Insomnia is largely by-the-numbers when it comes to detective films, but that does not stop it from having truly great things that sets it above other thrillers of this ilk. First off, Al Pacino and Robin Williams are phenomenal. I love comedians doing roles that are completely against theirInsomnia is largely by-the-numbers when it comes to detective films, but that does not stop it from having truly great things that sets it above other thrillers of this ilk. First off, Al Pacino and Robin Williams are phenomenal. I love comedians doing roles that are completely against their type and boy oh boy did Williams do that here. He was phenomenal, creepy and unsettling all wrapped into one and he nails the role. Director Christopher Nolan shows incredible talent here as he manages to creepy a truly unsettling atmosphere that never scares you to be sure, but certainly keeps you on edge. The script is very good and the characters are very well done, to the point that you are never truly sure who is good and who is truly bad. Overall, Insomnia is a good, but not great thriller that is not Nolan's best work, but that certainly does not mean it is ever bad.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

jonslow

Dec 9, 2018

Perhaps my favorite Alaskan movie. Sleep Will be the Last Thing on Your Mind.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MaraD.

Jul 29, 2007

Despite the expected great acting from the main cast, the film seemed eternal and I found myself waiting for it to end. It is ironically the cure for it's own title.

2 of 5 users found this helpful

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37	#37 Best Movie of 2002
22	#22 Most Discussed Movie of 2002
65	#65 Most Shared Movie of 2002