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The Night Listener

Play trailer Poster for The Night Listener R 2006 1h 31m Drama Mystery & Thriller LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
39% Tomatometer 133 Reviews 35% Popcornmeter 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.
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The Night Listener

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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Stephanie Zacharek Salon.com Oct 7, 2006
This thriller about books, belief and betrayal covers topical terrain -- JT LeRoy and James Frey, anyone? -- but itself proves unbelievable. Go to Full Review
Nigel Floyd Time Out Sep 23, 2006
The plot dawdles along, intrigue gives way to risible melodrama, and [director] Patrick Stettner fails to get to grips with the issues. Go to Full Review
Peter Bradshaw Guardian Sep 23, 2006
1/5
Robin Williams's face is permanently on its smiling-through-emotional-pain setting. Go to Full Review
David Lamble Bay Area Reporter May 12, 2020
In the film, these profound themes become window dressing for a badly misconceived effort to turn Maupin into Hitchcock... Go to Full Review
Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens Nov 13, 2019
The Night Listener is just that - for night listening. Good to pop in the DVD if you're having trouble falling asleep. Go to Full Review
Heather Huntington ReelzChannel.com Feb 9, 2011
7/10
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Audience Reviews

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Stephen C @bob25009 Jul 14, 2025 Pride in 1 hour and 31 minutes. Rated R for Language and Disquieting Sexual Content. In loving memory of Robin Williams (1951-2014). See more
Andrea C @Charst May 23, 2024 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. See more
Kyle M @RT77296778 Oct 8, 2022 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-) See more
Ęxçëşș M @ExcessMale Jun 17, 2022 One of Robin Williams' moody dramas that really went under everyone's radar including critics. Collette and Williams really rock the screen here. See more
steve d @RT35616104 Jun 26, 2020 Surprisingly dull thriller that wastes the talent of its cast. See more
Oct 25, 2019 really didn't enjoy the story or the characters in this one, but, Robin Williams did a great job See more
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The Night Listener

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Cast & Crew

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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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The Night Listener

The Night Listener (2006) A scene from the film "The Night Listener." On the set of the film "The Night Listener." View more photos

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
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
Runtime
1h 31m
Sound Mix
Dolby SRD, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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