Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Dense
- Violence
- Mild
- paranoid
- darkly erotic
- disturbing
- late night arthouse viewing
- psychological thriller marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly agreed that Roeg's technically dazzling, fragmented editing and compelling performances made the film distinctive, while its disturbing sexuality and jumbled chronology divided opinion.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Flashbacks move repeatedly between the overdose investigation and the professor's relationship with Milena, creating a deliberately fragmented chronology.
The stormy sexual relationship, overdose, jealousy, and voyeuristic staging produce an erotic atmosphere inseparable from menace.
Alex's intense fixation on Milena is examined through jealousy, affairs, interrogation, and the destructive consequences of their bond.
Inspector Netusil interrogates Alex while the film reveals the couple's history in fragments, making the relationship itself the mystery.
Films like Bad Timing, and why
Don't Look Now
fragmented chronology, obsessive sexuality, and psychologically corrosive relationship drama
The Night Porter
erotic obsession, morally compromised characters, and destabilizing psychological tension
Possession
nonlinear editing, voyeuristic intimacy, and darkly disturbing romantic fixation
Movie Details
- Director
- Nicolas Roeg
- Release Date
- 1980-03-02
- Runtime
- 123 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (173)
Cast
- Art Garfunkel
- Theresa Russell
- Harvey Keitel
- Denholm Elliott
- Daniel Massey
- Dana Gillespie
- William Hootkins
- Eugene Lipinski
- George Roubicek
- Stefan Gryff
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Night Flight Plus
- 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 Bad Timing about?
- A fractured Vienna investigation reconstructs an obsessive affair whose erotic intensity shades into jealousy, manipulation, and dread.
- What is Bad Timing like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Bad Timing as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as dense.
- Is Bad Timing violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Bad Timing as mild.
- What did critics think of Bad Timing?
- Critics broadly agreed that Roeg's technically dazzling, fragmented editing and compelling performances made the film distinctive, while its disturbing sexuality and jumbled chronology divided opinion.
- Which films are like Bad Timing?
- Films with a similar feel include Don't Look Now, The Night Porter, and Possession.
- How long is Bad Timing?
- Bad Timing runs 123 minutes.
- Where can I watch Bad Timing?
- In United States, Bad Timing streams on Night Flight Plus.
