Insomnia

Psychological Nordic noir starring Stellan Skarsgård as a detective losing his mind while investigating a murder in a town bathed in 24-hour daylight

Detectives Jonas and Erik are called to the midnight sun country of northern Norway to investigate a murder, but the arrest of the killer goes awry, and Jonas mistakenly shoots Erik. As the suspect escapes, a panicked Jonas pins Erik’s death on the fugitive. As he continues to pursue the killer, Jonas’s mounting guilt and the omnipresent sun plague him with an insomnia that affects his sanity.

Described by director Erik Skjoldbjærg as “a reversed film noir with light, not darkness, as its dramatic force”, Insomnia is a stylish and disorienting thriller. It uses its stark setting to intensify tension and immerse the audience in the psychological unravelling of its protagonist. A compelling showcase for Stellan Skarsgård, the film takes a more ambiguous approach than Christopher Nolan’s 2002 remake and arguably helped pave the way for the rise of Scandinavian noir across film, television and literature.