Nightwatch (1998)
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24% of critics liked it
(25 reviews) -
48% of users liked it
(9,065 ratings)
Like The Vanishing (1988 and 1993), Nightwatch is an English-language version of a foreign-made film with the original director hired to remake his own movie. Ole Bornedal was the writer-director of the suspenseful 1994 thriller, Nattevagten, which had no U.S. release immediately on the heels of its… More Like The Vanishing (1988 and 1993), Nightwatch is an English-language version of a foreign-made film with the original director hired to remake his own movie. Ole Bornedal was the writer-director of the suspenseful 1994 thriller, Nattevagten, which had no U.S. release immediately on the heels of its success in Denmark. For the second time around, Bornedal directed, but Steven Soderbergh wrote a new script based on Bornedal's original film. Both were produced by Michael Obel. Nattevagten was Bornedal's directorial debut, and reviews praised the film for the claustrophobic atmospherics and suspense generated from the very first establishing scene. For the 1998 English-language remake, the artistic elements of the original gave way to name actors, slicker production values, and the more conventional grindhouse genre approach, opening with a brutal prostitute murder in a pre-credit sequence. University student Martin (Ewan McGregor) ignores warnings to take a city-morgue night watchman job for extra cash. Odd happenings at the morgue are linked to a serial killer, and Inspector Thomas Cray (Nick Nolte) investigates. Soon Martin's girlfriend Katherine (Patricia Arquette) learns that Martin has become a key suspect. However, some might suspect Martin's edgy friend James (Josh Brolin). Brad Dourif fills the role of a doctor, and young Alix Koromzay portrays vulnerable teen hooker Joyce. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi
- Directed By
- Ole Bornedal
- Written By
- Ole Bornedal
- Genres
- Drama, Horror, Mystery & Suspense
- In Theaters
- Apr 17, 1998 Limited
- Studio
- Miramax
Critic Reviews
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Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
creepy and effective
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Maitland McDonagh, Film Journal International
Saddled with a nominally respectable cast and given a theatrical release, its cliched story and gratuitous nastiness leave a bad taste.
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Atmospheric thriller, but ultimately far-fetched and unsatisfying
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Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
A repellent parade of gore.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Cast
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Ewan McGregor
as Martin Bells
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Nick Nolte
as Inspector Thomas Cray
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Josh Brolin
as James Gallman
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Patricia Arquette
as Katherine
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Alix Koromzay
as Joyce
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Lauren Graham
as Marie
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John C. Reilly
as Inspector Bill Davis
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Brad Dourif
as Duty Doctor
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Lonny Chapman
as Johnson