Insomnia is a 2002 American psychological thriller film directed by Christopher Nolan and written by Hillary Seitz. A remake of the 1997 Norwegian film of the same name, it stars Al Pacino, Robin Williams and Hilary Swank with Maura Tierney, Martin Donovan, Nicky Katt and Paul Dooley in supporting roles. The film begins with two Los Angeles homicide detectives investigating a murder in Nightmute, Alaska. After the killer witnesses an accident done by one of the detectives, they create a plan for both parties to mutually avoid prosecution.