Insomnia
Directed by Christopher NolanA Los Angeles detective chases a murder suspect in a remote Alaskan town.
Cast of Insomnia
Insomnia Ratings & Reviews
- Vincent ReggianniniJuly 5, 2025This is one of Christopher Nolan’s lesser known films, yet it brings with it a haunting surrealism and very subdued performances by both Al Pacino and Robin Williams. The movie is like a bad dream, which is appropriate because the main character is suffering from a lack of sleep. Compounding the issues of what might be a guilty conscience, and a ruthless Internal Affairs process is the fact that this movie takes place in a town where the sun never sets during its summer months. Like most of Nolans films time here doesn’t seem to be an issue - it’s like a long, slowly drawn out nightmare as Al Pacino’s character dances between what might be reality, and what might be hallucinations. Robin Williams is intellectually frightening as a man who writes detective novels so well that he knows the police and what they look for, and muddled in this serious interaction between Williams and the police is Pacino’s crushing guilty conscience. The pressure slowly mounts as the world around both men close in around them. They are both running in their dreams but neither getting away from, or getting closer to a resolution to this small town’s first major homicide. The music is eerie, the landscape is achingly beautiful and Nolan masterfully crafts an environment that is both looming and overwhelming as these two men match whits and test each others’ limits. How far will either of them go to win this battle? What will suffer as a result? If you are a fan of either Hillary Swank, Al Pacino, Robin Williams or Christopher Nolan you owe it to yourself to watch this.
- 匚卂尺ㄥFebruary 11, 2025Did I ever know what insomnia is? Sure it's not being able to sleep, but what does it do to you?? I think I know now, as I can feel myself addressing it right here, I've been up for nearly 17 hours. But at least I can sleep, this guy can go 5 days without a blink. The film seems to say something about small town mentalities and what it's like living in one. I'm from one and I recognize certain aspects of human behaviours and attitiudes. Al Pacino's character holds it together as best he can - the interesting fact being that he has had to cut corners throughout his career and they are catching up with him more than he will catch up with sleep. He is tormented by this and makes another serious mistake. That scene is in the fog - again, great attention to detail as I was driving in the fog a couple of nights ago (naturally). He is trying to catch a child killer in the form of Mrs Doubt..No, that's Robin Williams of course, he's taking on a serious role and you do wish he'd taken on more since, cos it shows you another side to him and it's good. Williams torments Pacino throughout and you get the impression that Pacino is fighting the tide of opinion, in a town happy to settle for any result. Overall this is a good man fading away, tormented by his demons and the past. It is gripping and it really feels like this manhunt is taking place in the wild west, except this is Alaska, a place where it's always light... This film had a profound effect on me, especially when you consider we've had the Batman trilogy off this director since. It's moody and the eternal appeal for me is that it is the portrayal of a man trying to keep his head above water whilst doing the very important job of catching someone dangerous. It shows you what life is like in moments of personal turmoil and gives you a real insight into what survival means at that point. Moving.
- Matthias_812April 2, 2025Unlike Nolan’s later mind-benders, Insomnia is a more straightforward narrative, but his signature precision is all over it. The use of light, or the lack of true darkness, creates a disorienting atmosphere that mirrors Dormer’s crumbling psyche. Thrives on moral ambiguity and psychological unraveling.
- Patrick D.June 25, 2025Definitely not Nolan's best, but even his worst movie is better than most magnum opus movies from a lot of other directors. It's a good detective movie that's worth your time.
- marshalseaJune 23, 2025A film where Pacino actually acts. Must have been cause he was up against Robin Williams. All the right ingredients are here, but doesn't quite tap in to 5th star. Solid 80%er.
- mhantzeaJanuary 31, 2025I felt the acting and plot was forced
