The Reader
2008 · 124 min · Director: Stephen Daldry
Show plot summary (may contain spoilers)
THE READER opens in post-war Germany when teenager Michael Berg becomes ill and is helped home by Hanna, a stranger twice his age. Michael recovers from scarlet fever and seeks out Hanna to thank her. The two are quickly drawn into a passionate secret affair. Michael discovers that Hanna loves being read to and their physical relationship deepens. Hanna is enthralled as Michael reads to her from "The Odyssey," "Huck Finn," and "The Lady with the Little Dog." Despite their intense bond, Hanna mysteriously disappears one day and Michael is left confused and heartbroken. Eight years later, while Michael is a law student observing the Nazi war crime trials, he is stunned to find Hanna back in his life--this time as a defendant in the courtroom. As Hanna's past is revealed, Michael uncovers a deep secret that will impact both of their lives. THE READER is a story about truth and reconciliation, about how one generation comes to terms with the crimes of another.
Emotional fingerprint
The Reader (2008) — Movie. Top emotional signals: Sadness 30%, Empathy 25%, Anxiety 20%. Source: AI estimate. Shares describe emotional signal, not percentages of people. Your experience may differ. How we measure
AI estimate · no viewer votes yet
How we measure
AI estimate
Share of emotional signal, not the percentage of people or a probability of enjoyment.
Each viewer contributes one response, split equally across their selected emotions. When available, an automated estimate supplies a prior that is blended with those responses. Counts include distinct viewers, not automated estimates or archived anonymous votes. Fewer than 3 viewers is an early estimate; more responses do not guarantee certainty.
Why it feels this way
The strongest emotional signals are Sadness, Empathy, Anxiety. Genres: Drama, Romance, Mystery. AI estimate.
Is it worth watching?
Consider this title if you are looking for Sadness, Empathy and Anxiety. Its IMDb rating of 7.6/10 suggests a generally positive audience reception. For these leading emotions, its Feel Score is 73/100.
How did it make you feel?
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Pick up to three · 0/3
Emotional journey
- Sadness
- Disturbing
- Tension
Not enough subtitle evidence
No dominant emotion
Dominant emotion: Tension
Dominant emotion: Curiosity
Dominant emotion: Love
Dominant emotion: Sadness
Dominant emotion: Disturbing
Dominant emotion
| % | Approximate minute | Dominant emotion | Overall intensity | Sadness | Disturbing | Tension |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 % | ≈ 3′ | Tension | 42 % | 18 % | 12 % | 32 % |
| 7.5 % | ≈ 9′ | Curiosity | 41 % | 10 % | 13 % | 25 % |
| 12.5 % | ≈ 16′ | Love | 45 % | 10 % | 16 % | 28 % |
| 17.5 % | ≈ 22′ | Love | 49 % | 23 % | 15 % | 33 % |
| 22.5 % | ≈ 28′ | Love | 53 % | 25 % | 11 % | 26 % |
| 27.5 % | ≈ 34′ | Love | 53 % | 18 % | 9 % | 23 % |
| 32.5 % | ≈ 40′ | Tension | 49 % | 26 % | 8 % | 26 % |
| 37.5 % | ≈ 47′ | Sadness | 53 % | 39 % | 18 % | 31 % |
| 42.5 % | ≈ 53′ | Curiosity | 66 % | 44 % | 46 % | 46 % |
| 47.5 % | ≈ 59′ | Disturbing | 81 % | 59 % | 74 % | 60 % |
| 52.5 % | ≈ 65′ | Disturbing | 88 % | 66 % | 81 % | 66 % |
| 57.5 % | ≈ 71′ | Disturbing | 83 % | 56 % | 70 % | 70 % |
| 62.5 % | ≈ 78′ | Tension | 73 % | 53 % | 50 % | 60 % |
| 67.5 % | ≈ 84′ | Sadness | 59 % | 48 % | 29 % | 35 % |
| 72.5 % | ≈ 90′ | Curiosity | 49 % | 39 % | 10 % | 19 % |
| 77.5 % | ≈ 96′ | Sadness | 60 % | 53 % | 10 % | 25 % |
| 82.5 % | ≈ 102′ | Sadness | 74 % | 69 % | 26 % | 34 % |
| 87.5 % | ≈ 109′ | Sadness | 65 % | 59 % | 29 % | 29 % |
| 92.5 % | ≈ 115′ | Sadness | 52 % | 43 % | 17 % | 18 % |
| 97.5 % | ≈ 121′ | Not enough subtitle evidence | Not enough subtitle evidence | Not enough subtitle evidence | Not enough subtitle evidence | Not enough subtitle evidence |
Man in a hole
Rags to riches: The emotional tone rises from negative to positive.
Riches to rags: The emotional tone falls from positive to negative.
Man in a hole: The tone falls, then recovers.
Icarus: The tone rises, then falls.
Cinderella: The tone rises, falls, then rises again.
Oedipus: The tone falls, rises, then falls again.
AI reading of the film’s English subtitles (dialogue and sound cues) — not viewer votes. How we measure ↗
Kadri — your film companion
AIAsk anything about The Reader. From the film’s own dialogue and FeelDB data, at your spoiler level.
Afterward Reveal viewer responses · may contain spoilers
Viewer responses about feelings after the title ended, separate from feelings while watching. No AI estimates.
0 responses so far
Feeling details appear after at least 3 viewers respond, to protect privacy.
Cast
Hanna's Defense Council
Sophie
Holger
Details
- Directed by
- Stephen Daldry
- Written by
- David Hare, Bernhard Schlink
- Type
- Movies
- Released
- 2008
- Runtime
- 124 min
- Country
- Germany, United States
- Ratings
- Feels mostly
- Sadness
- Data updated
Where to watch
Subscription
Free
Rent
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