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The Night Listener

R Released Aug 4, 2006 1h 31m Drama Mystery & Thriller LGBTQ+ List
40% Tomatometer 136 Reviews 35% Audience Score 50,000+ Ratings
Gabriel Noone (Robin Williams), a writer and host of a late-night radio show, begins a phone correspondence with Pete (Rory Culkin) a teen who claims to have survived a nightmarish childhood. Though he becomes close to the youth and his mother (Toni Collette), Gabriel must begin a harrowing search for the truth when questions about Pete's real identity begin to surface. Read More Read Less
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The Night Listener

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Critics Consensus

This psychological thriller compels by blurring the line between truth and fiction; unfortunately, the film itself gets muddled in a hazy account of Maupin's original novel.

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Critics Reviews

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Nell Minow Movie Mom Rated: C Mar 3, 2007 Full Review Stephanie Zacharek Salon.com This thriller about books, belief and betrayal covers topical terrain -- JT LeRoy and James Frey, anyone? -- but itself proves unbelievable. Oct 7, 2006 Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian Robin Williams's face is permanently on its smiling-through-emotional-pain setting. Rated: 1/5 Sep 23, 2006 Full Review David Lamble Bay Area Reporter In the film, these profound themes become window dressing for a badly misconceived effort to turn Maupin into Hitchcock... May 12, 2020 Full Review Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens The Night Listener is just that - for night listening. Good to pop in the DVD if you're having trouble falling asleep. Nov 13, 2019 Full Review Heather Huntington ReelzChannel.com Rated: 7/10 Feb 9, 2011 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (1000+) audience reviews
Andrea C Film molto particolare che ha la peculiarità di sollevare sentimenti di interesse sincero mescolati a piccole delusioni per i mancati possibili sviluppi. Robin Williams e Toni Collette sono abilissimi attori in grado di dare vita a due personaggi decisamente interessanti intorno al quale ruota tutta la trama e che vantano anche un'ottima elaborazione della loro personalità, merito di una buona sceneggiatura. Ovviamente l'interesse sulla storia del finto bambino è forte e risulta un peccato non poterlo elaborare; così come non aver visto più da vicino la patologia su cui è incentrato tutto il film, magari dedicando meno tempo all'indagine del protagonista che a tratti non è particolarmente interessante. Comunque un film originale che si ritaglia un discreto pubblico ma a cui non mancano i difetti anche piuttosto marchiani. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 05/23/24 Full Review Gerald H what a poor mix of themes, thrown all over the place … like mikado sticks. and what a criminal waste of talent. if you fall asleep, there's no need to go back: the end is exactly the lame twist you feared to come. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 09/03/23 Full Review Kyle M While a more serious gig for Robin Williams with his heartening knack retained, he only finds something to deeply ponder over, and that's that within effective eeriness over the psychological mystery with the thrill being stumped over its strangeness that asks for a second viewing acknowledging the uncertain twist. The only problem with that is the film didn't do much to qualify a re-watchable value or it would be a dreadful waste, even if it theoretically turns out an endless cycle lacking capable clarity. (B-) Rated 3 out of 5 stars 10/08/22 Full Review joe m I started watching "The Night Listener", yet about 30 minutes in it becomes obvious where the film is going - overwrought, psycho-drama. While based on true events, it the type of production more akin to Lifetime movie of the week than something that should have gotten a Hollywood treatment with stellar cast of A list stars. Avoid. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member One of Robin Williams' moody dramas that really went under everyone's radar including critics. Collette and Williams really rock the screen here. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Gianmarco R Very nice film that wants to highlight the fine line between fiction and reality and does it in a beautiful and innovative way. Throughout the film, one wonders whether or not to believe what is happening. In the film, an exaggeration of themes is dealt with and they are all dealt with quite well Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 04/11/22 Full Review Read all reviews
The Night Listener

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Movie Info

Synopsis Gabriel Noone (Robin Williams), a writer and host of a late-night radio show, begins a phone correspondence with Pete (Rory Culkin) a teen who claims to have survived a nightmarish childhood. Though he becomes close to the youth and his mother (Toni Collette), Gabriel must begin a harrowing search for the truth when questions about Pete's real identity begin to surface.
Director
Patrick Stettner
Producer
Robert Kessel, Jeff Sharp, John Hart, Jill Footlick
Screenwriter
Armistead Maupin, Terry Anderson, Patrick Stettner
Distributor
Miramax Films
Production Co
Hart-Sharp Entertainment, IFC Productions
Rating
R (Language|Disquieting Sexual Content)
Genre
Drama, Mystery & Thriller, LGBTQ+
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 4, 2006, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 28, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$7.8M
Runtime
1h 31m
Sound Mix
Dolby SRD, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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