Permanent Midnight
A gifted sitcom writer's lucrative career unravels under heroin addiction, forcing him to confront the damage done to his family and himself.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- bleak
- darkly comic
- harrowing
- serious movie night
- adult drama viewing
What critics said
Critics found the film uneven but widely praised Ben Stiller's intense against-type performance and its bleak dark humor.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jerry Stahl's autobiographical descent into heroin dependence and recovery provides the film's central narrative.
Jerry's drug-fueled television career and chaotic personal life generate dark humor without romanticizing addiction.
Jerry's sitcom writing conferences and television success coexist directly with heroin use and family neglect.
After detox, Jerry recounts his addiction memories to Kitty while attempting to confront their consequences.
Films like Permanent Midnight, and why
The Basketball Diaries
shared biographical drug addiction drama, dark humor, and a volatile lead performance
Drugstore Cowboy
shared bleak addiction narrative, autobiographical perspective, and withdrawal-centered realism
Barfly
shared writer protagonist, substance abuse, corrosive relationships, and blackly comic tone
28 Days
shared recovery drama, addiction relapse, and emotionally raw character study
Movie Details
- Director
- David Veloz
- Release Date
- 1998-09-16
- Runtime
- 88 min
- Rating
- 5.9 / 10 (130)
Cast
- Ben Stiller
- Elizabeth Hurley
- Maria Bello
- Owen Wilson
- Lourdes Benedicto
- Peter Greene
- Cheryl Ladd
- Fred Willard
- Charles Fleischer
- Janeane Garofalo
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, Starz Amazon Channel, Starz, Starz Apple TV channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Permanent Midnight about?
- A gifted sitcom writer's lucrative career unravels under heroin addiction, forcing him to confront the damage done to his family and himself.
- What is Permanent Midnight like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Permanent Midnight as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Permanent Midnight violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Permanent Midnight as mild.
- What did critics think of Permanent Midnight?
- Critics found the film uneven but widely praised Ben Stiller's intense against-type performance and its bleak dark humor.
- Which films are like Permanent Midnight?
- Films with a similar feel include The Basketball Diaries, Drugstore Cowboy, Barfly, and 28 Days.
- How long is Permanent Midnight?
- Permanent Midnight runs 88 minutes.
- Where can I watch Permanent Midnight?
- In United States, Permanent Midnight streams on Philo, Starz Amazon Channel, Starz, Starz Apple TV channel.
