This Christopher Nolan’s Psychological Thriller Is a Forgotten Classic You Need to Watch

Christopher Nolan is often celebrated for mind-bending hits like Inception and Interstellar, but one of his quieter films is finally getting the attention it deserves. His 2002 psychological thriller Insomnia is being rediscovered by modern audiences for its intense mood and strong performances. Despite a 92 percent critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie is often overlooked compared to Nolan’s bigger blockbusters.

The story takes place in a small Alaskan town where the sun never sets. Al Pacino plays a veteran Los Angeles detective sent to investigate the murder of a local teenager. Things quickly spiral into a tense psychological battle when Robin Williams enters the story as Walter Finch, a local crime novelist. Pacino’s character struggles with sleep deprivation and a guilty conscience, making the cat-and-mouse game with Williams even more gripping.

Unlike Nolan’s later films, he didn’t write the script for Insomnia. The movie is a remake of a 1997 Norwegian film, which let Nolan focus on performances and visuals instead of the story. One critic shared on social media that of all the movies in Christopher Nolan’s catalog, about this one is not spoken much. But this is an underrated and forgotten Nolan masterpiece.

Robin Williams’ performance as Walter Finch is a standout. He takes a soft-spoken, almost charming character and turns him into a chilling villain. Fans and critics praised him, with one viewer calling the role a creepy masterpiece, adding that the cast provides excellent performances, especially Robin Williams. His character is undoubtedly psychotic.

Nolan is gearing up for his next big project, the IMAX epic The Odyssey, set for release on July 17. The film, based on Homer’s ancient poem, features Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, and Zendaya. While audiences look forward to this new blockbuster, Insomnia reminds us of the dark, intimate thrillers that helped establish Nolan’s reputation.

Insomnia earned over $113 million at the box office, but its true value is how it continues to grip viewers today, especially on streaming platforms like Max. The movie is a tense, smart exploration of guilt, morality, and the effects of sleeplessness, making it as relevant now as it was nearly 25 years ago.

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