Overview
A monk's quest for truth leads him into a deadly conspiracy within the walls of a medieval abbey.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- brooding
- oppressive
- intellectual
- rainy day
- late night mystery viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the adaptation intelligent, atmospheric, and visually accomplished, though divided over its compressed and sometimes confused storytelling and ending.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
William of Baskerville investigates the murders through intelligence and evidence while confronting the Church's authority.
The monastery's secret library, passages, and hidden knowledge drive the investigation and its escalating peril.
The monastery hosts a Franciscan conference while murder, inquisition, and doctrinal disputes expose institutional tensions.
The remote abbey, labyrinthine library, secret passages, and dark medieval interiors create the film's dominant visual identity.
Films like The Name of the Rose, and why
Gosford Park
historical whodunit structure, intellectual investigation, and religious atmosphere
The Draughtsman's Contract
period murder mystery shaped by institutional power, class hierarchy, and enclosed settings
The Seventh Seal
medieval religious setting, theological conflict, and brooding mystery atmosphere
Movie Details
- Director
- Jean-Jacques Annaud
- Release Date
- 1986-09-24
- Runtime
- 130 min
- Rating
- 7.5 / 10 (3411)
Cast
- Sean Connery
- Christian Slater
- Helmut Qualtinger
- Elya Baskin
- Michael Lonsdale
- Volker Prechtel
- Feodor Chaliapin Jr.
- William Hickey
- Michael Habeck
- Urs Althaus
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- 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 The Name of the Rose about?
- A brilliant Franciscan investigator confronts murder, forbidden knowledge, and ecclesiastical power inside a labyrinthine medieval monastery.
- What is The Name of the Rose like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Name of the Rose as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Name of the Rose violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Name of the Rose as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Name of the Rose?
- Critics broadly found the adaptation intelligent, atmospheric, and visually accomplished, though divided over its compressed and sometimes confused storytelling and ending.
- Which films are like The Name of the Rose?
- Films with a similar feel include Gosford Park, The Draughtsman's Contract, and The Seventh Seal.
- How long is The Name of the Rose?
- The Name of the Rose runs 130 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Name of the Rose?
- In United States, The Name of the Rose streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
