• Home
• Insomnia

Page

Insomnia

• Summary
• How to watch
• News & features

❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).

Watch trailer

02:24

Insomnia

Save

• Crime/detective
• Drama

• 2002
• Christopher Nolan
• 113 mins
• 15

Summary

Psychological crime thriller starring Al Pacino and Robin Williams. LAPD detectives Will Dormer and Hap Eckhart find respite from charges of corruption by flying to a remote town in Alaska to investigate the murder of a teenage girl. After accidentally killing Eckhart while chasing a suspect, Dormer is contacted by writer Walter Finch, who admits to witnessing Dormer shoot his partner but wants something in return for his silence.

Ad

Powered By

IMDB

Review

A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Alan Jones

Based on the 1997 Norwegian blockbuster of the same name, this skilfully directed psychodrama from Christopher Nolan (Memento, The Dark Knight) proves that hit European movies can be remade successfully. Alaska provides a visually arresting backdrop for an unhinged noir nightmare that sees hard-boiled LAPD detective Al Pacino sent to a small fishing town to investigate the brutal murder of a teenager. When he mistakenly kills his partner on a fudged stakeout and blames the hunted assassin (Robin Williams) who saw what he did, the killer blackmails him into pinning both deaths on someone else. And so a convoluted cat-and-mouse game begins with Pacino - terminally sleepless from the endless daylight - barely staying one-step ahead in the evidence-planting conspiracy while trying to conceal his own crime. Dwelling on the far more compelling issues of ethical decay and moral breakdown than the whodunnit aspects, Nolan's inventive thriller is intensely gripping throughout and sees Pacino on dynamite form.

imdb-square

7.2/10

How to watch

Loading

Streaming

• BBC iPlayer
• Sky Store

Credits

Cast

rolenameWill DormerAl PacinoWalter FinchRobin WilliamsEllie BurrHilary SwankRachel ClementMaura TierneyHap EckhartMartin Donovan (2)Fred DuggarNicky KattRandy StetzJonathan JacksonChief Charles NybackPaul DooleyPilotOliver "Ole" ZemenFarrellLarry HoldenTanya FranckeKatharine Isabelle

Show more

Crew

rolenameDirectorChristopher Nolan

Details

Theatrical distributor

Buena Vista

Released on

2002-08-30

Languages

English

Guidance

Violence, swearing, nudity.

Available on

video and DVD

Formats

Colour

News & features about Insomnia

• 
  
  Vicky McClure in first look at new drama Insomnia
  
  The new drama premieres on Paramount Plus this May.

• 
  
  Insomnia ending explained: How does Vicky McClure's thriller end?
  
  Don't lose sleep over what it all means.

  Ad

• 
  
  Vicky McClure chills in eerie trailer for psychological thriller Insomnia
  
  The Line of Duty star takes on a new role in this mysterious series.

• 
  
  Vicky McClure stars in spine-chilling teaser for new thriller Insomnia
  
  McClure plays a woman suffering from insomnia in the new Paramount Plus show.

• 
  
  Insomnia review: Is Vicky McClure's night-time thriller any good?
  
  The Line of Duty star is resisting a rest in Paramount Plus's latest offering.

• 
  
  Line of Duty star Vicky McClure leads new drama Insomnia
  
  McClure will star in the series which is based on the novel by Sarah Pinborough.

• 
  
  What to watch and listen to if you can't fall asleep - TV shows and podcasts to cure your insomnia
  
  If you just can't get to sleep we've rounded up the best TV shows, Netflix offerings, YouTube videos and podcasts to help you drift off.

  Ad

• 
  
  DreamHack Birmingham confirms 2027 return following record-breaking debut show
  
  A Dream debut.

• 
  
  DreamHack's VP of festivals explains the growth of esports and taking the event to the UK: "We need to be here"
  
  Ahead of DreamHack Birmingham, we spoke to the brand's VP of festivals Shahin Zarrabi.

• 
  
  Wheesung, K-pop singer with multiple hit songs, found dead at home aged 43
  
  The singer had numerous hits including a popular cover of British star Craig David's Insomnia.

• 
  
  This is why I wrote my new ITV thriller – and why it feels more terrifyingly realistic than ever
  
  Tom Bradby’s new ITV thriller reflects his career as a journalist – which got him shot and left him with acute insomnia.

• 
  
  Is The Odyssey Christopher Nolan's best movie yet? Here's our definitive ranking
  
  Where does the director's latest film The Odyssey fit into his oeuvre?

• 
  
  Jamie Laing emotional as Comic Relief total from ultra marathons is revealed
  
  The former Made in Chelsea star completed his fifth consecutive ultra marathons in five days on Friday.

• 
  
  Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock speaks on space travel future and aliens: "I'm not sure about alien abduction"
  
  Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock tells us why the future of space exploration matters and how she hopes to inspire the next generation.

• 
  
  The Trial cast: Who stars in the 5 drama?
  
  Claire Skinner and Ben Miles lead the cast of the new one-off drama.

• 
  
  Michael Fassbender spy thriller The Agency confirms release date in high-octane trailer
  
  The series comes to Paramount Plus next month.

• 
  
  Strictly's Ellie Leach and Vito get 10 score for "best show" this season
  
  The Coronation Street star scored 37 points for their Paso Doble to Insomnia by Faithless.

• 
  
  Line of Duty, Good Omens stars join Jodie Comer in Kenneth Branagh thriller
  
  The Last Disturbance of Madeline Hynde has found its main cast.

• 
  
  You set pictures reveal first look at new character joining season 5
  
  Anna Camp plays Raegan and Maddie Lockwood in the new season - but which one of the twins is this?

• 
  
  Gone cast: Who stars in the ITV crime thriller?
  
  Eve Myles and David Morrissey lead the ITV crime thriller.

• 
  
  Industry reveals first look at Kit Harington's debut in season 3
  
  Harington plays the CEO and founder of a green tech energy company in the new season.

• 
  
  4 Emmerdale spoilers next week: Tracy Robinson under suspicion for murder as John Sugden schemes
  
  Kammy turns thief, Eve's in danger and Pollard makes an announcement.

• 
  
  Luther creator announces new thriller with Niamh Algar and Tom Hollander
  
  The new Sky series also stars Doctor Who's Sacha Dhawan.

• 
  
  Pete Wicks: "I don't understand why more people who have a platform don't give a voice to the voiceless"
  
  The presenter of For Dogs' Sake discusses crying, not watching reality TV and why dogs and motorbikes are his happy place.

See more about Insomnia

Ad

Ad

Ad