Academy Award winner Guillermo Del Toro returns with a slick and seedy film noir adaptation, boasting an all-star cast
It’s 1939, America is beginning to feel the anxieties of World War II, and the unscrupulous Stan Carlisle (Bradley Cooper) is looking to reinvent himself after committing an undisclosed crime. True to Del Toro’s style, Nightmare Alley is a uniquely stylised and impeccably realised version of the world, marrying reality with imaginings – or nightmares – to draw the audience in to his spectacle.
In his quest for reinvention, Stan happens upon a carnival, ring-led by Willem Dafoe’s Clem Hoatley and after experiencing the brilliance (or grift) of carny performers played by Rooney Mara, Ron Perlman and Richard Jenkins, decides this is the world he will write himself in to. This is until he encounters Cate Blanchett’s Lilith Ritter, a corrupt and unholy psychiatrist who proves to be even more dangerous than he is.
US 2021 Dir Guillermo Del Toro 150 min
Our Parent and Baby screenings are designed for adults to enjoy the latest film releases with their young babies, in a relaxed atmosphere with gentler lighting and sound. Screenings are suitable for babies of 12 months or under. Up to four adults can accompany a baby, but adults without a baby will not be admitted.
We have plenty of dedicated space for you to park your baby buggy. For health and safety reasons, we cannot allow buggies inside the cinemas.
There is audio description available for this title. We provide audio description using the Dolby Screentalk system. The film soundtrack comes through the speakers in the usual way and a recorded narrator explains what is happening on screen through personal headphones. Please ask a member of staff for a set of headphones.
Booking is essential, so please book your tickets before attending.
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Booking fees
£1.50 booking fee per online/phone transaction.
No fee when tickets are booked in person.
Booking fees are per transaction and not per ticket. If your booking contains several events the highest booking fee will apply. The booking fee may be reduced on certain events. Members do not pay booking fees.
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Barbican Cinema 2
Location
Barbican Cinema 2 & 3 are located on Beech Street, a short walk from the Barbican’s Silk Street entrance. From Silk Street, you’ll see a zebra crossing that will take you across the road to the venue.
Address
Beech Street
London
EC2Y 8DS
Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.
We’ve plenty of places for you to relax and replenish, from coffee and cake to wood-fired pizzas and full pre-theatre menus
Access
Cinemas 2 & 3 are located at Beech Street, a short walk from the Barbican Centre’s main Silk Street entrance. There are a couple of steep, dropped kerbs and an incline to negotiate between the two sites. Level access from Beech Street.
Mobility
Each auditorium has three permanent wheelchair spaces (two in the third row and one in the front row) and 153 fixed seats with capacity for a further three spaces in the front row. Access to each auditorium is up a ramp. There are also a number of seats with step-free access.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs may be taken into the cinema – please tell us when booking to ensure your seat has enough space. If you prefer, you may leave your dog with a member of the foyer staff during the performance.
Hearing facility
An infrared system for hard of hearing customers is provided in each auditorium; headsets or neck loops can be collected from foyer staff. The ticket desk counter is fitted with an induction loop.
For more access information, please visit our Accessibility section.
