• Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop Rated MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
      What's on TV & StreamingWhat's on TV & StreamingTop Rated ShowsMost Popular ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
      What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb TVIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
      OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersGolden GlobesEmmysLGBTQ+ Pride MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
      Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
      Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
    For Industry Professionals
      AllTitlesTV EpisodesCelebsCompaniesKeywords
    • Advanced Search
    Watchlist
    Sign In
    Welcome to the new version of this page.
    Learn more
    Report an issue

    Insomnia

    • 20022002
    • RR
    • 1h 58min
    IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    280K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,661
    105
    • Cast & crew
    • User reviews
    • Trivia
    • IMDbPro
    Al Pacino and Robin Williams in Insomnia (2002)
    Trailer
    Trailer2:30
    1 Video
    99+ Photos
    DramaMysteryThriller

    Two Los Angeles homicide detectives are dispatched to a northern town where the sun doesn't set to investigate the methodical murder of a local teen.Two Los Angeles homicide detectives are dispatched to a northern town where the sun doesn't set to investigate the methodical murder of a local teen.Two Los Angeles homicide detectives are dispatched to a northern town where the sun doesn't set to investigate the methodical murder of a local teen.Two Los Angeles homicide detectives are dispatched to a northern town where the sun doesn't set to investigate the methodical murder of a local teen.Two Los Angeles homicide detectives are dispatched to a northern town where the sun doesn't set to investigate the methodical murder of a local teen.

    • Director
      • Christopher Nolan
    • Writers
      • Hillary Seitz(screenplay)
      • Nikolaj Frobenius(1997 screenplay)
      • Erik Skjoldbjærg(1997 screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Al Pacino
      • Robin Williams
      • Hilary Swank
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Christopher Nolan
    • Writers
      • Hillary Seitz(screenplay)
      • Nikolaj Frobenius(1997 screenplay)
      • Erik Skjoldbjærg(1997 screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Al Pacino
      • Robin Williams
      • Hilary Swank
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 720User reviews
    • 117Critic reviews
    • 78Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 11 nominations

    Videos1

    Insomnia (2002)
    Trailer 2:30
    Insomnia (2002)

    Photos146

    Al Pacino and Hilary Swank in Insomnia (2002)
    Al Pacino and Robin Williams in Insomnia (2002)
    Al Pacino and Robin Williams in Insomnia (2002)
    Al Pacino, Hilary Swank, and Martin Donovan in Insomnia (2002)
    Al Pacino, Hilary Swank, and Paul Dooley in Insomnia (2002)
    Al Pacino and Robin Williams in Insomnia (2002)
    Al Pacino and Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe in Insomnia (2002)
    Robin Williams in Insomnia (2002)
    Robin Williams in Insomnia (2002)
    Hilary Swank in Insomnia (2002)
    Hilary Swank and Lorne Cardinal in Insomnia (2002)
    Hilary Swank in Insomnia (2002)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Al Pacino
    Al Pacino
    • Will Dormeras Will Dormer
    Robin Williams
    Robin Williams
    • Walter Finchas Walter Finch
    Hilary Swank
    Hilary Swank
    • Ellie Burras Ellie Burr
    Martin Donovan
    Martin Donovan
    • Hap Eckhartas Hap Eckhart
    Oliver 'Ole' Zemen
    • Pilotas Pilot
    Paul Dooley
    Paul Dooley
    • Chief Nybackas Chief Nyback
    Nicky Katt
    Nicky Katt
    • Fred Duggaras Fred Duggar
    Larry Holden
    Larry Holden
    • Farrellas Farrell
    Jay Brazeau
    Jay Brazeau
    • Francisas Francis
    Lorne Cardinal
    Lorne Cardinal
    • Richas Rich
    James Hutson
    James Hutson
    • Officer #1as Officer #1
    Andrew Campbell
    • Officer #2as Officer #2
    Paula Shaw
    Paula Shaw
    • Coroneras Coroner
    Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe
    Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe
    • Kay Connellas Kay Connell
    • (as Crystal Lowe)
    Tasha Simms
    Tasha Simms
    • Mrs. Connellas Mrs. Connell
    Maura Tierney
    Maura Tierney
    • Rachel Clementas Rachel Clement
    Jonathan Jackson
    Jonathan Jackson
    • Randy Stetzas Randy Stetz
    Malcolm Boddington
    • Principalas Principal
    • Director
      • Christopher Nolan
    • Writers
      • Hillary Seitz(screenplay)
      • Nikolaj Frobenius(1997 screenplay)
      • Erik Skjoldbjærg(1997 screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

    More like this

    Following
    7.5
    Following
    Memento
    8.4
    Memento
    The Devil's Advocate
    7.5
    The Devil's Advocate
    Donnie Brasco
    7.7
    Donnie Brasco
    Insomnia
    7.3
    Insomnia
    Dunkirk
    7.8
    Dunkirk
    Quay
    6.6
    Quay
    The Machinist
    7.7
    The Machinist
    Gangs of New York
    7.5
    Gangs of New York
    Scent of a Woman
    8.0
    Scent of a Woman
    Serpico
    7.7
    Serpico
    Dog Day Afternoon
    8.0
    Dog Day Afternoon

    Storyline

    Edit
    In Nightmute, Alaska, seventeen year old resident Kay Connell is found murdered. As a favor to the local Nightmute police chief, two Los Angeles Robbery Homicide police detectives, Will Dormer and Hap Eckhart, are called in to assist in the investigation. Although renowned in the police world, both Dormer and Eckhart are facing some professional issues back in Los Angeles. In Nightmute, Dormer has a major case of insomnia due to a combination of the incessant midnight sun and from a secret he is carrying. This insomnia is causing him to be delusional. Something he is not dreaming about is that the murderer has contacted him, informing him all about the murder and the fact that he knows everything that is going on with Dormer. They begin a symbiotic relationship in keeping secrets for each individual's benefit. But ambitious young local detective, Ellie Burr, might piece the story together on her own. —Huggo
    murder of a teenage girlunited statesdetectivemurderpolice191 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Days never end. Nightmares are real. No one is innocent.
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Mystery
      • Thriller
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for language, some violence and brief nudity
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      As of 2020, this is the only film directed by Christopher Nolan in which Nolan does not have an official writing credit - even though he wrote the final draft of the screenplay himself.
    • Goofs
      Dormer, a seasoned police detective who demonstrates in the story that he understands the properties of blood, including DNA and proteins, chooses to use hot water to clean the blood off his clothes (you can see the hot water tap is wide open and the cold tap is closed in the sink in his hotel room). Hot water binds blood to clothes and makes a permanent stain. Cold water removes blood.
    • Quotes

      Will Dormer: You don't get it do you, Finch? You're my job. You're what I'm paid to do. You're about as mysterious to me as a blocked toilet is to a fucking plumber. Reasons for doing what you did? Who gives a fuck?

    • Connections
      Featured in Day for Night: The Making of 'Insomnia' (2002)
    • Soundtracks
      Sparks
      Written by Guy Berryman, Jon Buckland, Will Champion, Chris Martin

      Performed by Coldplay

      Courtesy of EMI Records Ltd.

      Under license from EMI-Capitol Music Special Markets

    User reviews720

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    This film will give you Insomnia!
    Who doesn't love Al Pacino? Anyone.....Come on..... there at least should be one hater! Guess there is not. Al Pacino is loved by everyone who has seen him as "Michael Vito Corleone" in The Godfather Trilogy or the ruthless "Tony Montana" in Scarface. These films were the highlights of his career and even though he isn't as memorable as Will Dormer in Insomnia, it is hard not to give him an honorable mention. Insomnia is referred to as a "Cat and Mouse" thriller and it proved that it is one because of the whole chase thing between Will Dormer, a cop, and a local writer who goes by the name of Walter Finch, a man who is under the suspicion of killing a teen. This is proved even more when there is an actual ground chase between them two on the logs in the flowing river. That scene was full of heart pounding action and added a bit of intrigue that made you appreciate the film a little bit more. The film would have been unknown to me if there weren't the three Oscar winners, Al Pacino, Robin Williams, and Hilary Swank that made this thriller for what it is, also if Christopher Nolan hadn't directed it. He is truly a great director. Steven Spielberg has to watch out for the might of Nolan. Al Pacino was absolute and admirable in Insomnia therefore making him the best actor in the whole film. His role as a tough cop was fascinating and hypnotizing. Robin Williams, who portrays Walter Finch, was not as great as Al's however he still doesn't disappoint. This is not Robin Williams best role but it MIGHT be his most evilest role in his "Evil Trilogy". Hilary Swank's character Ellie Burr made you think that she was unnecessary but as the film reaches its climax you realize that she plays an important part. Swank's performance could not rival against her other roles in "Million Dollar Baby" or "Boy's don't Cry" however she is agreeable but not fun to watch. The films chilly, or spooky, atmosphere is the best in any movie, I have ever seen so far. It just makes the films setting really home-sweet-home. The scenery at the beginning was beautiful as the plane flew over the ice and glaciers of Alaska.

    In Nightmute, Alaska, seventeen year old resident Kay Connell is found murdered. As a favor to the local Nightmute police chief, two Los Angeles Robbery Homicide police detectives, Will Dormer and Hap Eckhart, are called in to assist in the investigation. Although renowned in the police world, both Dormer and Eckhart are facing some professional issues back in Los Angeles. In Nightmute, Dormer has a major case of insomnia due to a combination of the incessant midnight sun and from a secret he is carrying. This insomnia is causing him to be delusional. Something he is not dreaming about is that the murderer has contacted him, informing him all about the murder and the fact that he knows everything that is going on with Dormer. They begin a symbiotic relationship in keeping secrets for each individual's benefit. But ambitious young local detective, Ellie Burr, might piece the story together on her own.
    helpful•7
    4
    • brandon_lee420
    • Apr 30, 2010

    FAQ2

    • At the end, he tells her "don't lose your way" when she tries to throw the shell casing away. What did he mean by that?
    • Why did Detective Dormer switch to his secondary gun during the fog shootings?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 24, 2002 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Noches blancas
    • Filming locations
      • Alaska, USA
    • Production companies
      • Alcon Entertainment
      • Witt/Thomas Productions
      • Section Eight
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $46,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $67,355,513
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $20,930,169
      • May 26, 2002
    • Gross worldwide
      • $113,758,770
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 58min
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

    Related news

    1-2-3 Production Readies Second Season of Netflix Hit ‘To the Lake,’ ‘Insomnia’
    1-2-3 Production Readies Second Season of Netflix Hit ‘To the Lake,’ ‘Insomnia’
    Jun 8Variety Film + TV
    Top Russian Drama Projects at Key Buyers Event
    Top Russian Drama Projects at Key Buyers Event
    Jun 7Variety Film + TV

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Edit page
    • Getting started
    • Contributor Zone

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    The Best Book-to-Screen Adaptations in the Works
    See the full list
    Image caption not available
    4:34
    The Rise of Charlize Theron
    Watch the video

    Around the web

    Powered by Taboola

    Recently viewed

    You have no recently viewed pages
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • IMDb TV
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads

    © 1990-2021 by IMDb.com, Inc.