'Nightmare Alley' got overlooked in theaters, but the dark drama starring Bradley Cooper is one of the best new films on Hulu and HBO Max (2024)

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• "Nightmare Alley," starring Bradley Cooper, is now available to stream on Hulu and HBO Max.
• The psychological thriller focuses on a carnival mentalist who tries to con spectators out of money.
• The movie failed at the box office, but fans of slow-burning dramas should definitely check it out at home.

"Nightmare Alley" hit theaters in November 2021 with an impressive cast including Bradley Cooper and Cate Blanchette, an Academy Award-winning director in Guillermo del Toro, and a slew of positive reviews. But, despite its critical acclaim, the film failed to ignite the box office.

Though the movie industry has seen a resurgence of blockbuster hits based on big franchises, like "Spider-Man: No Way Home," adult dramas like "Nightmare Alley" have had a tougher time bringing audiences back to the big screen. The movie already racked up a few awards, but it came and went from theaters with few people actually seeing it — including me.

That's why I was so excited to see the film premiere on not one, but two major streaming platforms. Due to an agreement between WarnerMedia and Disney, the movie became available to watch at home on Hulu and HBO Max on February 1. You can sign up for Hulu's basic plan for $7 a month, or HBO Max's entry-level plan for $10 a month.

After streaming the film on my home theater setup, I'm glad I got a second chance to check it out. Though its slow pace won't be for everyone, it's one of the most interesting new releases on either streaming service.

'Nightmare Alley' is a slow but absorbing thriller with stylish visuals inspired by classic Hollywood films

"Nightmare Alley" focuses on a carnival mentalist, played by Bradley Cooper, who aims to manipulate his spectators for profit. When he teams up with a psychiatrist (Cate Blanchett) to con a wealthy but dangerous man, the pair risk their lives for one big score. The story is based on a novel written by William Lindsay Gresham, which has been previously adapted into a 1947 film.

The conclusion is a bit predictable, but that doesn't rob the ending of its power. Cooper's performance in the movie's final moments is extraordinary, and the last image continues to linger with me.

That said, you should keep in mind that this is a slow film. Its deliberate pace mostly works to its advantage, giving the story room to develop, but some people may be turned off by the lack of action. At two hours and 30 minutes, at least 15 minutes could have been trimmed to tighten up the plot.

Still, there's no denying what an incredibly well-crafted film this is. It's not a movie you'll want to flip on for a casual watch, but it's a dark, absorbing drama to get lost in during a movie night at home.

Hulu vs. HBO Max: Which service should you watch 'Nightmare Alley' on?

Hulu and HBO Max both currently include "Nightmare Alley" as part of a regular subscription with no extra fees required. Hulu is the cheapest option with a starting price of $7/month for ad-supported streaming. Meanwhile, HBO Max starts at $10/month for its ad-supported plan.

If you don't already have either of these services, you should choose the one that fits best with your budget, and includes the most movies and shows that appeal to you. Also keep in mind that Hulu offers a 30-day free trial for new members. That said, it's not clear exactly how long the movie will stay on either service.

Is 'Nightmare Alley' available in 4K on Hulu or HBO Max?

The Hulu and HBO Max streams of "Nightmare Alley" both max out at 1080p with Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. Neither service is streaming the film in 4K or high dynamic range (HDR). Dolby Atmos audio is also missing.

That said, based on other releases from the studio, I expect that "Nightmare Alley" will be available to stream in 4K, HDR, and Dolby Atmos when it becomes available to buy or rent from streaming retailers like Vudu, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV. A launch date for on-demand purchases and rentals has not been announced yet.

The bottom line

"Nightmare Alley" is a powerful and disturbing psychological thriller. Bradley Cooper leads an excellent cast, and director Guillermo del Toro fills the film with striking visuals that lean into the movie's classic Hollywood inspirations.

Considering its underwhelming box office performance, it's likely that many people missed this one in theaters, and I'm glad it can now find a larger audience at home on two popular streaming services.

The pace and sometimes disturbing drama won't be for all tastes, but if you're a fan of slow-burning thrillers and moody film noir, you should definitely put this one on your watchlist.