Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Dense
- Violence
- Brutal
- brooding
- theatrical
- oppressive
- art house film night
- historical drama marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly recognize the film's ambitious visual style and Martin Freeman's performance while finding its dense, theatrical historical drama uneven.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Rembrandt constructs The Nightwatch to reveal the murder conspiracy and the merchants' corruption.
Amsterdam merchants manipulate the militia, public reputation, finances, and family relationships to silence Rembrandt.
Rembrandt's exposure of the conspiracy triggers attempts to blind him, ruin his household, destroy his reputation, and force him into penury.
The commissioned group portrait and Rembrandt's visual investigation are presented through highly composed, art-conscious period tableaux.
Films like Nightwatching, and why
Mr. Turner
historical artist biography with stylized formal design, psychological intensity, and social critique
The Mill and the Cross
European art-world biography combining painterly imagery, political intrigue, and tragic personal decline
Pollock
ambitious period drama about an artist whose work collides with institutional power and personal ruin
Movie Details
- Director
- Peter Greenaway
- Release Date
- 2007-11-02
- Runtime
- 135 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (79)
Cast
- Martin Freeman
- Emily Holmes
- Eva Birthistle
- Jodhi May
- Toby Jones
- Jonathan Holmes
- Michael Teigen
- Kevin McNulty
- Agata Buzek
- Natalie Press
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Nightwatching about?
- A master painter turns a prestigious commission into a visual accusation against Amsterdam's ruling elite, sacrificing his security and status in the process.
- What is Nightwatching like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Nightwatching as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as dense.
- Is Nightwatching violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Nightwatching as brutal.
- What did critics think of Nightwatching?
- Critics broadly recognize the film's ambitious visual style and Martin Freeman's performance while finding its dense, theatrical historical drama uneven.
- Which films are like Nightwatching?
- Films with a similar feel include Mr. Turner, The Mill and the Cross, and Pollock.
- How long is Nightwatching?
- Nightwatching runs 135 minutes.
- Where can I watch Nightwatching?
- In United States, Nightwatching streams on fuboTV, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel.
