The Bad Sleep Well (1960): cast, story & where to watch
1960 · Film · ★ 7.7
Released in 1960, The Bad Sleep Well is a thriller, drama and crime film directed by Akira Kurosawa, running about 150 minutes.
What it’s about. In this loose adaptation of "Hamlet," illegitimate son Kôichi Nishi climbs to a high position within a Japanese corporation and marries the crippled daughter of company vice president Iwabuchi. At the reception, the wedding cake is a replica of their corporate headquarters, but an aspect of the design reminds the party of the hushed-up death of Nishi's father. It is then that Nishi unleashes his plan to avenge his father's death.
Who’s in it. The Bad Sleep Well stars Toshirō Mifune as Kôichi Nishi, Masayuki Mori as Public Corporation Vice President Iwabuchi, Kamatari Fujiwara as Assistant-to-the-Chief Wada and Takeshi Katō as Itakura, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.7/10, The Bad Sleep Well has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Criterion Channel. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Bad Sleep Well page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Bad Sleep Well tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Bad Sleep Well (1960)?
- In US, The Bad Sleep Well is available to stream on Criterion Channel. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Bad Sleep Well worth watching?
- The Bad Sleep Well holds an audience score of 7.7 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy thriller, drama and crime. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in The Bad Sleep Well?
- The Bad Sleep Well stars Toshirō Mifune, Masayuki Mori, Kamatari Fujiwara, Takeshi Katō and Kyōko Kagawa.
- When was The Bad Sleep Well released?
- The Bad Sleep Well was released in 1960, with a runtime of about 150 minutes.