One Hour Photo

Watch One Hour Photo

"The things that we fear the most have already happened to us..."
  • R
  • 2002
  • 1 hr 36 min
  • 6.8  (131,254)
  • 64

One Hour Photo is a psychological thriller from the year 2002, directed by Mark Romanek and starring Robin Williams, Connie Nielsen, and Michael Vartan. The film tells the story of Seymour "Sy" Parrish, a lonely and unassuming photo technician who develops an obsessive fixation on one of his regular customers, a young family whom he has never met in person. As Sy becomes more and more deeply involved in their lives, his fascination begins to turn dangerous and the film builds towards a tense and unsettling climax.

At the center of the film is Robin Williams' performance as Sy Parrish, a seemingly friendly and helpful employee at the one-hour photo lab in a suburban mall. An outsider who is unable to connect with others, Sy becomes fixated on the Yorkin family, who he sees every time they drop off their film to be developed. He begins to collect their photos and create a scrapbook of their happy memories, even though he has no personal connection to them. As his obsession grows, Sy begins to insinuate himself into the family's life, following them around and engaging in increasingly disturbing behavior.

The film is a slow burn, gradually ratcheting up the tension as Sy's behavior becomes more and more erratic. The viewer is constantly aware that something is not quite right with Sy, and that his seemingly harmless actions are building towards something more sinister. Williams is masterful in the role, playing Sy as a deeply lonely and wounded man who is unable to connect with those around him. Despite his unsettling behavior, the audience is drawn into Sy's world and made to feel some measure of sympathy for him.

The supporting cast is strong as well, with Connie Nielsen and Michael Vartan playing the Yorkin family, the unwitting subjects of Sy's obsession. Nielsen plays Nina Yorkin, a woman struggling with her own issues of loneliness and dissatisfaction, while Vartan is Will Yorkin, a successful businessman who is oblivious to the danger that Sy represents. Rounding out the cast is Gary Cole, who plays Bill Owens, Sy's boss at the photo lab who begins to sense that something is not quite right with his employee.

Visually, the film is striking, with Romanek using a muted color palette and clever camera angles to create a sense of unease. The mall where the photo lab is located is presented as a cold and sterile environment, with few signs of life beyond the bustling shoppers who pass through it. This serves to heighten the sense of isolation that Sy feels, as he is surrounded by people but unable to connect with them.

One Hour Photo is a film that explores the darker side of human nature, and the dangers of obsession and isolation. It is a chilling and unsettling film that lingers in the mind long after it is over. While it may not be for everyone, it is a masterful example of the psychological thriller genre, anchored by a powerful performance from Robin Williams.

One Hour Photo is a 2002 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 64.

One Hour Photo
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Where to Watch One Hour Photo
One Hour Photo is available to watch, stream, download and buy on demand at Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube VOD and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent One Hour Photo for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    2002
  • MPAA Rating
    R
  • Runtime
    1 hr 36 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.8  (131,254)
  • Metascore
    64