Overview
A detective's pursuit of a killer spirals into a haunting nightmare of guilt and deception.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- chilly
- oppressive
- paranoid
- late night viewing
- rainy day
What critics said
Critics broadly praise the film as a taut, chilly psychological neo-noir elevated by Stellan Skarsgård's performance and Erik Skjoldbjærg's elliptical direction.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The investigation unfolds in a northern city where a 24-hour daylight cycle compounds Engström's insomnia and hallucinations.
Jonas Engström accidentally kills his partner and attempts to cover up the death while pursuing another killer.
Engström's insomnia, hallucinations, and mounting strain make the murder investigation inseparable from his concealed culpability.
Critics describe the film as understated, elliptical, taut, and dangerous as the investigator's strain increases.
Films like Insomnia, and why
Zodiac
shared neo-noir atmosphere, morally compromised investigator, and psychological crime tension
Memories of Murder
shared crime investigation, corrosive guilt, and bleak psychological suspense
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
shared Scandinavian noir setting, procedural investigation, and oppressive moral ambiguity
The Pledge
shared semi-noir mood, compromised protagonist, and escalating cover-up
Movie Details
- Director
- Erik Skjoldbjærg
- Release Date
- 1997-03-14
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (336)
Cast
- Stellan Skarsgård
- Sverre Anker Ousdal
- Bjørn Floberg
- Maria Mathiesen
- Gisken Armand
- Kristian Figenschow
- Thor Michael Aamodt
- Frode Rasmussen
- Bjørn Moan
- Maria Bonnevie
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Criterion Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Insomnia about?
- A sleep-deprived investigator hunts a murderer while concealing the fatal mistake that could destroy him.
- What is Insomnia like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Insomnia as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Insomnia violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Insomnia as moderate.
- What did critics think of Insomnia?
- Critics broadly praise the film as a taut, chilly psychological neo-noir elevated by Stellan Skarsgård's performance and Erik Skjoldbjærg's elliptical direction.
- Which films are like Insomnia?
- Films with a similar feel include Zodiac, Memories of Murder, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and The Pledge.
- How long is Insomnia?
- Insomnia runs 96 minutes.
- Where can I watch Insomnia?
- In United States, Insomnia streams on Amazon Prime Video, Criterion Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
