Behind the mystery lies a truth that will make you question everything you know.
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.
The Reader (2008) is a drama and romance film directed by Stephen Daldry, released on December 10, 2008 with a runtime of 2h 4m. It stars Ralph Fiennes, Kate Winslet, David Kross and Lena Olin. Viewers rate it 7.5 out of 10 across 3,466 ratings.
Watch the official trailer for The Reader before you stream it.
Ralph Fiennes
as Michael Berg
Kate Winslet
as Hanna Schmitz
David Kross
as Young Michael Berg
Lena Olin
as Rose Mather
Bruno Ganz
as Professor Rohl
Jeanette Hain
as Brigitte
Hannah Herzsprung
as Julia
Karoline Herfurth
as Marthe
Volker Bruch
as Dieter Spenz
Alexandra Maria Lara
as Young Ilana Mather
Fabian Busch
as Hanna's Defense Council
Vijessna Ferkic
as Sophie
Directed by Stephen Daldry, written by David Hare and Bernhard Schlink, produced by Donna Gigliotti, Anthony Minghella and Sydney Pollack.
Average viewer score of 7.5/10 from 3,466 ratings.
David Kross is really effective in this tale of a young boy ("Michael") who encounters "Hanna" (Kate Winslet) as he shelters in her doorway from a rainstorm. In fairly short order, this fifteen year old boy becomes her lover; in return she gets him to read to her. He is soon infatuated and devastated when he turns up at her apartment one day to find her gone. Skip on thirty years or so and he - now Ralph Fiennes -…
Reviewed on June 6, 2022
I didn't turn this movie off after the beautiful sex scenes only because two others were watching it with me. The mere fact that "Germans" were speaking English totally destroyed the whole "suspend disbelief" for me. This film is an awful rendition by Brits of an award-winning German book. Perhaps, only someone from the Nachgeborenen (to coin Bertolt Brecht's meaning of German post-Holocaust generations) should…
Reviewed on May 23, 2023
The Reader blends a controversial romance with post-war German guilt, presenting a layered, emotional story carried by powerful performances and thoughtful direction. Despite some logical gaps, the film succeeds in portraying personal and societal struggles through its characters' trauma and secrets. It’s a compelling watch for those drawn to slow-burning dramas with moral complexity. Read the full review here:…
Reviewed on September 30, 2025
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The Reader (2008) is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, Britbox Apple TV channel, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channels, Amazon Prime Video with Ads and Howdy Amazon Channel, and to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube and Fandango At Home. Streaming availability is checked against JustWatch data and can change by region.
The main cast of The Reader (2008) includes Ralph Fiennes, Kate Winslet, David Kross, Lena Olin and Bruno Ganz. The film was directed by Stephen Daldry. You can see the full cast and crew list, with character names, further up this page.
The Reader was released on December 10, 2008 and runs for 2h 4m.
The Reader (2008) holds an average rating of 7.5 out of 10 from 3,466 viewer votes, and is a good pick if you enjoy drama and romance films. Read the viewer reviews on this page to decide for yourself.
Yes. The official The Reader trailer is embedded in the trailer section of this page and plays instantly, no download or sign-up required.
