🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Zu Quirke
- Genre: Drama, Horror, Music, Thriller
- Release year: 2020
- Runtime (length): 1h 30min
- IMDb rating: 5.7/10 (14K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Jealous pianist finds a spooky notebook, suddenly gets good at piano, and then maybe dies, maybe doesn’t, who knows?
🍿 Nocturne: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction to Juliet and Vivian
Juliet and Vivian Lowe are twin sisters attending a prestigious music academy. Vivian, the more accomplished pianist, has been accepted into Juilliard, while Juliet struggles with self-doubt and is often overshadowed by her sister’s success. The film establishes a strong sense of sibling rivalry and the pressures of excelling in the competitive world of classical music.

The Discovery of Moira’s Notebook
After the school’s star pianist, Moira, dies by suicide, Juliet discovers Moira’s mysterious notebook filled with strange symbols and drawings. Intrigued, Juliet becomes obsessed with the notebook, believing it holds the key to unlocking her own potential and surpassing her sister. The notebook appears to grant Juliet’s desires, but at a dark and sinister cost.

Juliet’s Descent
As Juliet delves deeper into the notebook, her behavior becomes increasingly erratic and unsettling. She experiences vivid nightmares and visions, and her relationship with Vivian deteriorates further. Fuelled by ambition and the perceived power of the notebook, Juliet sabotages Vivian’s chances to perform at a prestigious concert, seizing the opportunity for herself.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Juliet (Sydney Sweeney): A talented but insecure pianist who makes a dangerous pact to surpass her successful twin sister.
- Vivian (Madison Iseman): Juliet’s gifted and seemingly favored twin sister, a pianist on the path to Juilliard.
- Dr. Cask (Ivan Shaw): A demanding instructor who becomes Juliet’s teacher and recognizes a darkness within her.
- Max (Jacques Colimon): Vivian’s boyfriend who becomes entangled in the sisters’ rivalry.
- Moira (Ji Eun Hwang): The former star student whose mysterious death and notebook set off a chain of events.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Dr. Cask: “Her technique is no better than yours… She plays like the devil is at the door.” – Dr. Cask is trying to explain to Juliet why her sister Vivian is considered a star despite Juliet’s superior technique.
- Dr. Cask: “Music is a blood sport.” – Dr. Cask states how cutthroat the classical music world can be.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 Nocturne Reviews
Personal Review
I was really drawn into ‘Nocturne’! The sibling rivalry felt so real. I loved how the music school setting added to the tension, and Sydney Sweeney was fantastic. The ending was a bit ambiguous, and I am not sure if she really died, but it left me with a feeling of unease. I keep thinking about that final performance scene.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of psychological thrillers”
- “Viewers interested in sibling rivalry dramas”
- “Those who enjoy movies with ambiguous endings”
- “People who like films set in the world of classical music”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Suicide”
- “Self-harm”
- “Drug use”
- “Some disturbing imagery”
- “Brief sexual content”
Professional Reviews
- IMDb Critic: “While not particularly scary, ‘Nocturne’ has an engaging story and characters. It’s an entertaining twist on films like ‘The Competition,’ depicting the struggles of aspiring musicians. Sydney Sweeney and Madison Iseman deliver strong performances as the twins.
- CBR: “Though the film is not particularly scary or intense, it does provide an engaging story and characters that will keep you watching, and delivers an entertaining twist.
Audience Reactions
The performances, especially Sydney Sweeney’s, were captivating.: Many viewers enjoyed the eerie atmosphere and psychological tension.
Some found the ending confusing, leaving them unsure of what truly happened.: While the storyline was intriguing, not everyone appreciated the ambiguous conclusion.
Overall Consensus: A psychological thriller with strong performances and an unsettling atmosphere, though some viewers found the ambiguous ending frustrating.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film is part of the ‘Welcome to the Blumhouse’ series on Amazon Prime Video.”
- “The word ‘nocturne’ refers to a short musical composition of a romantic or dreamy character suggestive of night, typically for piano, which is fitting for the film’s theme.”
- “The movie draws inspiration from films like ‘Black Swan’ and ‘Suspiria’, exploring themes of ambition, rivalry, and psychological distress within a competitive artistic environment.”
🖥️ How to Watch Nocturne?
Nocturne is a Blumhouse production available for streaming on Prime Video. It is also often available for purchase or rental on platforms like Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Nocturne, you might like these similar films:
- Black Swan (2010): Both films explore the dark side of ambition and the psychological toll of perfectionism in a competitive artistic field.
- Suspiria (1977): Features a prestigious arts institution with dark secrets, a sense of impending doom, and supernatural horror elements.
- The Perfection (2018): Deals with the dark and twisted rivalry between two classical musicians.
🛒 Nocturne Related Products
- Piano Tiles 3: Classical Music Challenge: Test your piano skills with challenging classical music pieces and compete with friends in this addictive mobile game. Features tracks inspired by ‘Nocturne’.
- Black Swan (Blu-ray): A visually stunning and psychologically gripping film about the dark side of ambition in the world of ballet. Its themes of rivalry and descent into madness resonate with ‘Nocturne’.
- Steinway & Sons Model D Concert Grand Piano (Miniature): A highly detailed miniature replica of the iconic Steinway concert grand piano, perfect for displaying your love of classical music and ‘Nocturne’.
- Nocturne Inspired Art Print – ‘Devil at the Door’: A dark and atmospheric art print inspired by the film’s themes of ambition, sacrifice, and the pursuit of perfection. Captures the sinister undertones of ‘Nocturne’.
🎧 Soundtrack
Nocturne features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 22: I. Andante sostenuto” – performed by Camille Saint-Saëns
- “Possession” – performed by Gazelle Twin
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Nocturne is a psychological thriller about twin sisters attending a prestigious music academy. One sister discovers a mysterious notebook that seems to grant her wishes, leading to a descent into obsession and sibling rivalry.
Nocturne is more of a psychological thriller than a traditional horror film. It relies on suspense, atmosphere, and unsettling imagery to create a sense of unease, rather than jump scares or gore.
The ending of Nocturne is deliberately ambiguous, leaving it open to interpretation. It suggests the destructive nature of ambition and the blurring lines between reality and delusion, questioning whether Juliet achieved her dreams or succumbed to her obsessions.
🔥 Bonus Content
What CASTLEVANIA Is Really About
Ever wondered what Castlevania is *really* about? This video breaks down the show’s exploration of good and evil, and it’s honestly mind-blowing how deep it goes. Definitely worth a watch before diving into Nocturne!
Castlevania: Nocturne Has Bad Writing #anime#shorts
Is the writing in Castlevania: Nocturne actually that great? This short video makes a strong case that it’s not, and it’s sparking some serious debate. See if you agree with the opinion!
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