Death Note

2006·Movie
2h 6min·R
65
GoodGoodWatch score

Where to watch

No stream option in US yet.

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

Death Note fingerprint

Relentless energy, funny, light on feelings.

Energy

Nerve-racking and fast-paced

Fast from start to finish.

  • Tension10
  • Fast Pace8
  • Adrenaline7

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Melancholy6
  • Coming of Age6
  • Pathos5

Humor

Plenty of sharp wit and dark humor

  • Wit & Wordplay8
  • Dark Humor7
  • Situational Comedy0

World

The mind, crime, and mystery

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • Dialogue Centrality9
  • World Immersion8
  • Novelty8

Craft

Standout storytelling, dialogue, and characters

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Intrigue10
  • Narrative Structure9
  • Dialogue Quality9

Style

Standout editing

  • Editing8
  • Cinematography7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBinge-FriendlyThought-Provoking

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

The battle of wits begins. Whose side are you on?

Light Yagami finds the "Death Note," a notebook with the power to kill, and decides to create a Utopia by killing the world's criminals, and soon the world's greatest detective, "L," is hired to find the mysterious murderer. An all out battle between the two greatest minds on earth begins and the winner will control the world.
Intense Psychological ThrillerIntellectual Cat-and-MouseHigh-Stakes Crime MysteryMoral AmbiguityBleak & SuspensefulCharacter-Driven ConflictMind GamesConsequences of PowerModern Fantasy

Crew

Directed by:
Composed by:

Sequels and Prequels

Media

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Questions about Death Note

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Death Note legally?

You can rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Microsoft Store. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Death Note worth watching?

65
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 65/100 (IMDb 7.5 and Metacritic 72). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Death Note rated?

RViolenceDisturbing imagery

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence and disturbing imagery.

How long is Death Note?

2 h 6 min

Death Note runs 2 h 6 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Death Note?

Critics72
Audiences53

Not quite. Critics rate Death Note higher (72) than audiences (53). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

Was Death Note a box office hit?

Budget$20 million
Box office$30 million

Roughly broke even. It cost about $20 million to make and earned $30 million worldwide, 1.5 times its budget.

What language is Death Note in?

Japanese

It was made in Japanese. Produced in Japan.

In how many countries can I watch Death Note?

24ARBOBRCACLCOCRECESGBGTHNITJP+10

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Death Note in 24 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Death Note use?

Adaptation DistillationAdaptational HeroismAn AesopAffirmative Action GirlAdapted OutKarma HoudiniWhat If?Hollywood Heart AttackAdaptational Late AppearanceTwist EndingArc WordsAdaptational Mundanityand 8 more

TV Tropes lists 20 storytelling tropes for Death Note, including Adaptation Distillation, Adaptational Heroism, An Aesop.

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