Insomnia

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Insomnia

R

2002

1h 58m

Mystery & Thriller

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

206 Reviews

77%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

From acclaimed director Chris Nolan ("Memento") comes the story of a veteran police detective (Al Pacino) who is sent to a small Alaskan town to investigate the murder of a teenage girl. Forced into a psychological game of cat-and-mouse by the primary suspect (Robin Williams), events escalate and the detective finds his own stability dangerously threatened.

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Critics Consensus

Driven by Al Pacino and Robin Williams' performances, Insomnia is a smart and riveting psychological drama.

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Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

Apr 24, 2020

3.5/5

Dormer has a weariness that Pacino wears perfectly, always finding some new depth to his exhaustion and despair without ever being a sleepy presence on screen.

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Jami Bernard

New York Daily News

Aug 25, 2014

3/4

Insomnia is not so much about the murder mystery as it is about Will's internal struggle with what's right and what's possibly okay.

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Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

Aug 5, 2013

The film represents a triumph of atmosphere over a none-too-mysterious mystery. Which is to say that Nolan makes you feel the end-of-the-earth bleakness of his setting, makes you feel the way it can discombobulate people once they internalize it.

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Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

Jul 13, 2026

2.5/5

Changing the story from pure corruption to confrontation of culpability is a good idea. But trying to make this version more "exciting" introduces incredibly dumb turns and devices that keep it from working.

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Marcelo Paredes

Cinencuentro

Jul 11, 2026

By telling the story in a much more direct way, the moral dilemmas become far more evident, and the director's concerns emerge with admirable precision... [Full review in Spanish]

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Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

Sep 9, 2025

4/5

Furthers Christopher Nolan's skills of pacing and mystery he teased in Memento, elevated by riveting performers.

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Robert P

@Superbad 1 day ago

Insomnia is a *4* star Movie!

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Brian D

@Brianwd2 6 days ago

85% - 10/11/26. Really enjoyed this one. Has all the makings of a great murder mystery — a fantastic Alaskan setting, a morally compromised cop, and standout performances from Pacino and Robin Williams. Not Nolan’s best, but still a very good film. 3/5 rewatch

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Henry D

@Henry_Domke Oct 17, 2026

Relentlessly, grindingly grim, but put together with such fine craftsmanship that it was still worth watching. A film that was easier to admire than to enjoy.

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Geronimo G

@RT22671163 Oct 8, 2026

This movie isn t the best because all that care this movie the acting of Al pacino and Robin williams

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Harry H

@Movies10 Oct 2, 2026

Christopher Nolan should make more movies like this (films that are less than 2 hours long an having only like 3 A list actors) this was a really good thriller about a cop losing his way.

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Juris O

@Juris100 Aug 23, 2026

Great movie. Keeps you hooked until the very end.

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Synopsis

From acclaimed director Chris Nolan ("Memento") comes the story of a veteran police detective (Al Pacino) who is sent to a small Alaskan town to investigate the murder of a teenage girl. Forced into a psychological game of cat-and-mouse by the primary suspect (Robin Williams), events escalate and the detective finds his own stability dangerously threatened.

Director: Christopher Nolan
Producer: Paul Junger Witt, Edward L. McDonnell, Andrew A. Kosove, Broderick Johnson
Screenwriter: Hillary Seitz
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Section Eight Ltd., Witt/Thomas Productions, Alcon Entertainment
Rating: R (Language|Brief Nudity|Some Violence)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 24, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $67.3M
Runtime: 1h 58m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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