The Reader (2008): cast, story & where to watch
2008 · Film · ★ 7.4
Released in 2008, The Reader is a drama and romance film directed by Stephen Daldry, running about 124 minutes. “Behind the mystery lies a truth that will make you question everything you know.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. The story of Michael Berg, a German lawyer who, as a teenager in the late 1950s, had an affair with an older woman, Hanna, who then disappeared only to resurface years later as one of the defendants in a war crimes trial stemming from her actions as a concentration camp guard late in the war. He alone realizes that Hanna is illiterate and may be concealing that fact at the expense of her freedom.
Who’s in it. The Reader stars Kate Winslet as Hanna Schmitz, Ralph Fiennes as Michael Berg, David Kross as Young Michael Berg and Lena Olin as Rose Mather, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.4/10, The Reader has been warmly received by audiences. It went on to earn $108.9M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium and Britbox Apple TV Channel and rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube and Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Reader page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Reader tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Reader (2008)?
- In US, The Reader is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV and Paramount Plus Premium, and rent or buy from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Reader worth watching?
- The Reader holds an audience score of 7.4 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and romance. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in The Reader?
- The Reader stars Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, David Kross, Lena Olin and Bruno Ganz.
- When was The Reader released?
- The Reader was released in 2008, with a runtime of about 124 minutes.