Crazy, Not Insane (2020): Cast & Ratings
Crazy, Not Insane is a 2020 biographical documentary directed by Alex Gibney, starring Laura Dern, Park Dietz and Richard Burr. It runs 1 hour 57 minutes. Critics gave it 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 57m (117 min)
- Director
- Alex Gibney
- Genres
- Biography , Crime , Documentary
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- HBO Documentary Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Crazy, Not Insane About?
The premise of Crazy, Not Insane without spoilers.
Esteemed psychiatrist Dorothy Otnow Lewis examines the psychology of serial killers and questions the application of capital punishment in this thought-provoking documentary. Through her unique perspective and analysis, the film explores the complexities of human behavior and raises important questions about morality, justice, and the nature of evil. It sparks a crucial debate about how society understands and responds to those who commit heinous crimes.
Crazy, Not Insane Themes & Keywords
· 1 tag- psychiatrist
Crazy, Not Insane Cast
Laura Dern leads the cast, with Park Dietz and Richard Burr. Directed by Alex Gibney; 5 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Alex Gibney
-
Laura Dern as themselves - Park Dietz as themselves
- Richard Burr as themselves
- Catherine Yeager as themselves
Also Starring in Crazy, Not Insane
· 1 moreMore from Alex Gibney
More films directed by Alex Gibney, best-rated first: Totally Under Control, Knife: The Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie, Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief and Taxi to the Dark Side.
Crazy, Not Insane Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Crazy, Not Insane 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 83/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (70).
Crazy, Not Insane Echo Score Breakdown
The documentary offers a deeply empathetic and investigative look into the minds of serial killers through Dr. Dorothy Otnow Lewis. Critics largely praise its thought-provoking focus and the film intrigues with unresolved questions about the roots of violence. Some viewers find the structure uneven, questioning the coherence of its narrative. In terms of visual and interview intensity, it delivers harrowing footage that underscores its themes. Despite occasional narrative ambivalence, it maintains strong engagement through its probing inquiry and emotional resonance.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 85
In terms of art and craft, the direction provides a clear investigative thread through archival footage and interviews. The cinematography employs a restrained palette that lets interview subjects occupy the frame with clarity. Editing weaves together historical segments and contemporary interviews without major technical issues. Overall, the filmmaking exhibits a measured approach that supports the documentary’s analytical tone.
- Character & Emotion 90
When it comes to character and emotion, Dr. Lewis emerges as a deeply compassionate and intellectually probing figure. Her empathetic demeanor and dark humor ground the film’s exploration of violent subjects with humanizing insight. The interviews capture nuanced responses from both the psychiatrist and her subjects. In sum, the film delivers emotional impact through its focus on personal interaction.
- Story & Flow 70
In terms of story and flow, the documentary raises compelling questions about the origins of violence with thoughtful pacing. The narrative interweaves historical context and expert commentary, though some transitions feel abrupt and contribute to an uneven structure. While the investigative focus remains engaging, occasional narrative detours slightly undercut the film’s overall coherence and momentum.
- Sensory Experience 88
In terms of sensory experience, the documentary presents harrowing interview footage and judiciously applied archival materials that heighten emotional engagement. The sound design underscores tense moments without overpowering the narrative, and the restrained musical touches complement rather than distract. Overall, the visual and auditory elements cohere effectively to support the film’s investigative and emotive aims.
- Rewatch Factor 70
When it comes to rewatch value, the film’s focused exploration of Dr. Lewis and her methods provides interesting fodder for repeated viewings. The depth of documentary interviews and layered archival context encourage analysis, although the uneven narrative pacing may diminish some viewers’ desire to revisit. Overall, it maintains moderate lasting appeal for those drawn to forensic inquiry.
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IMDb 6.9 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 94% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 77%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 78 Metascore
User score 8.3
See on Metacritic -
Letterboxd 3.4 /5
5 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.8 /5
See on Movie Insider
Crazy, Not Insane Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Crazy, Not Insane.
Crazy, Not Insane Also Known As
17 alternative titles, including “Loco, no demente” and “Őrült, nem elmebeteg”.
- Also known as
-
- Loco, no demente
- Őrült, nem elmebeteg
- Ārprātīgs, nevis vājprātīgs
- 瘋狂不瘋癲
- Není šílenství jako šílenství
- Loco
- No Demente
- Louco Não
- Doido
- Psychika mordercy
- 크레이지
- 낫 인세인
+5 more Show fewer
- Безумен, но не болен
- Шалений, але не хворий
- เครซี่
- น็อท อินเซน
- Луди, но не невменяеми
Seen Crazy, Not Insane?
Movies Like Crazy, Not Insane
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Crazywise, People Say I'm Crazy and Ted Bundy: Mind of a Monster.
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Crazywise 2017 -
People Say I'm Crazy 2004 -
Ted Bundy: Mind of a Monster 2019 -
Crazy Love 2007 -
Unsane 2018 -
America’s Serial Killers: Portraits in Evil 2009 -
I, Psychopath 2009 -
LSD: Insight or Insanity? 1967 -
Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer 2004 -
The Worst Crime 2019 -
Serial Killer with Piers Morgan 2018 -
Children of Darkness 1983
Crazy, Not Insane FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Crazy, Not Insane, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Crazy, Not Insane?
Crazy, Not Insane runs 1 hour 57 minutes (117 minutes).
When was Crazy, Not Insane released?
Crazy, Not Insane was released on November 18, 2020.
Who directed Crazy, Not Insane?
Crazy, Not Insane was directed by Alex Gibney.
More films by Alex Gibney Who is in the cast of Crazy, Not Insane?
Crazy, Not Insane stars Laura Dern, Park Dietz and Richard Burr, among 5 credited actors.
How is Crazy, Not Insane rated?
Crazy, Not Insane has 6.9/10 on IMDb, 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 78 on Metacritic and 3.4/5 on Letterboxd.
Does Crazy, Not Insane have a post-credit scene?
No. Crazy, Not Insane has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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