The Night Listener

R

Released Aug 4, 2006

1 hr. 31 min.

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

LGBTQ+

List

40%

136 Reviews

Tomatometer

35%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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.

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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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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

jonathan m

A great movie based on a true story both stars shine it dwels into an illness that is real almost how some people live in parallel dimensions like a person who lives behind a fake profile. Some people are alone they could have a million friends and still be alone and lost but the ones who slip by with no one are the ones who need to be loved don't let it happen to you. We made it Logan we did it boo. Just smile and plan your next move(movie) for I am the listener and you are the night.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Patrick Stettner

Director

Robin Williams

Gabriel Noone

Toni Collette

Donna Logand

Rory Culkin

Pete Logand

Bobby Cannavale

Jess

Sandra Oh

Anna

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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

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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
Executive Producer: Michael Hogan, Armistead Maupin, Terry Anderson, Jonathan Sehring, Caroline Kaplan
Screenwriter: Armistead Maupin, Terry Anderson, Patrick Stettner
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: IFC Productions, Hart-Sharp Entertainment
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
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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