Nightwatch

R

Released Apr 17, 1998

1 hr. 41 min.

Horror

Drama

List

27%

30 Reviews

Tomatometer

46%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Law student Martin Bells (Ewan McGregor) needs to make some money, and so he takes a side job as a night watchman in a morgue. He thinks he'll have time to study, but with a serial killer on the loose -- one with a propensity for necrophilia -- he has to be more alert than ever. While at work, Martin starts putting together the clues and realizes that the police, including Inspector Thomas Cray (Nick Nolte), have good reason to make him their prime suspect.

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Critics Consensus

Nightwatch loses much of what made its inspiration entertaining - and proves that when remaking a foreign film, hiring the original director is no guarantee of success.

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Justin T

This film had lots of close-ups shots which I liked, which made it feel more intimate. Lovely camera movement and fantastic locations. It had a slight ‘modern’ noir look which was really nice. It has excellent sound design throughout. Almost nothing to even slightly complain about from the audio department. The story started so scary and horrible but slowly became an interesting murder mystery. The killer was revealed a little too early and this made the ending less exciting than it should be. I wish that there was more supernatural horror. Still enjoyable enough noir crime thriller.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/21/24

Full Review

KB B

It wasn't that good. I wouldn't bother with this one.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

10/22/23

Full Review

Farah R

Nightwatch proves that an intriguing plot and good actors can't save a film from its lousy writing.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

10/13/23

Full Review

Steve D

Effectively creepy but not much else.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/20/23

Full Review

Josh G

A promising start with some interesting and lovable/hate characters that evolves into predictable third act with a few suspense moments sprinkled through out. It draws the line between mediocre and cool at times but offers nothing new to the genre.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/24/23

Full Review

Jerod S

Ewan starts working in the morgue at the same time a serial killer is on the loose. Through friends (Arquette) and a prostitute, it turns out that someone on the inside is killing girls. Bad "Give the Dog a Bone" song.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/22/23

Full Review

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Ole Bornedal

Director

Ewan McGregor

Martin Bells

Nick Nolte

Inspector Thomas Cray

Josh Brolin

James Gallman

Patricia Arquette

Katherine

Alix Koromzay

Joyce

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Sheila Johnston

Independent (UK)

A nifty little psycho-thriller from Denmark.

Dec 3, 2018

Full Review

Mike Clark

USA Today

The much-delayed thriller Nightwatch, a remake of a Danish film, has been collecting dust. The reason is apparent: It's dreadful,

Rated: 1.5/4

Jan 9, 2018

Full Review

Globe and Mail

Rated: 2/4

Apr 12, 2002

Full Review

Carolyn Hinds

Black Girl Nerds

Even though the murders were the main driving force of the plot, the lack of a clear motive or pulse pounding tension makes Nightwatch come across as a parody like Scary Movie rather than a classic like Scream.

Aug 5, 2021

Full Review

Quentin Curtis

Independent on Sunday

Though laboured in its exposition, and at times sadistic, the movie paints a luridly disturbing portrait of male aggression. And the dialogue contains odd shafts of insight.

Dec 3, 2018

Full Review

Film Threat

Rated: 2.5/5

Dec 6, 2005

Full Review

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Synopsis

Law student Martin Bells (Ewan McGregor) needs to make some money, and so he takes a side job as a night watchman in a morgue. He thinks he'll have time to study, but with a serial killer on the loose -- one with a propensity for necrophilia -- he has to be more alert than ever. While at work, Martin starts putting together the clues and realizes that the police, including Inspector Thomas Cray (Nick Nolte), have good reason to make him their prime suspect.

Director: Ole Bornedal
Executive Producer: Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein
Screenwriter: Ole Bornedal, Steven Soderbergh
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Dimension Films
Rating: R
Genre: Horror, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 17, 1998, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 14, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.2M
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital

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