Christopher Nolan’s ‘forgotten masterpiece’ is now streaming on the BBC

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Christopher Nolan’s earlier film, Insomnia, is now available to stream on the BBC. Though he’s become famous for big, complex movies like The Dark Knight series, Interstellar, and the Oscar-winning Oppenheimer, Insomnia was one of his successful, more intimate thrillers.

The 2002 film, starring Al Pacino, Robin Williams, and Hilary Swank, centers around a detective investigating the murder of a young woman in a small Alaskan town. The investigation soon turns into a tense psychological battle with the prime suspect.

Insomnia is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer after being added to the service this week.

If you’re enjoying Christopher Nolan films on iPlayer, you’ll be happy to hear that his 2006 movie, The Prestige, is now available too.

Insomnia is a re-imagining of a 1997 Norwegian movie with the same title. The screenplay was written by Hillary Seitz, and the film features supporting performances by Maura Tierney (known from The Affair), Martin Donovan (Tenet), and Nicky Katt (Sin City).

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One IMDb user praised the movie as a “forgotten Nolan gem” and “another masterpiece,” believing it should be considered among the director’s best work. They even suggested it might be superior to some of his more recent films.

One reader described it as a fantastic and captivating story, a well-made thriller that held their attention throughout.

One person commented that the film was fantastic, and a welcome change of pace in modern Hollywood, showcasing how great direction, writing, and acting can come together.

Critics generally praised Insomnia, giving it a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 203 reviews. Deep Focus Review highlighted Nolan’s skill in creating a drama that’s both well-made and surprisingly moving, going beyond the typical detective thriller.

IGN noted that seeing Christopher Nolan’s film before he directed the Batman movies shows how he was already refining his signature style – not just in the themes he explored, but also in how the film looked.

Insomnia and The Prestige are streaming now on BBC iPlayer.

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2026-04-02 13:50