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Ben Stiller shoots up in a bathroom while writing ALF. Yes, really.
TMDB
59
IMDb
62
Rotten Tomatoes
60
Google
39
Watch

Permanent Midnight (1998)

90s nihilism chichollywood self-loathingaddiction confessional

Overview

Drama

Juggling increasing career success and a growing heroin habit, a television comedy writer attempts to go down a path of improvement.

Flag of USUS
Content warning
policealcoholdrugsadulterywriterheroindetox
creative destructionperformance of sobrietycommodification of painthe hollow american dream

Standout Aspects

Acting

Stiller's twitchy desperation—comedy king goes full gutter.

Writing

Adapted from Stahl's actual memoir; the ALF writing room scenes are unhinged.

Best for:Solo: When you're in your 'staring at the ceiling at 2am' era.·Rewatch: Catching what you missed while wincing through withdrawal scenes.
Heads up:Drug Use: Graphic, unromanticized IV drug use throughout. Not for the squeamish.
David Veloz

Director

David Veloz

ReleasedSep 16, 1998
Runtime1h 28m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacesteady
Intensityhigh
Tonedark
Feelheavy
Revenue$1.2M
Artisan Entertainment
JD Productions

Top Cast

Ben Stiller

Ben Stiller

Jerry Stahl

Elizabeth Hurley

Elizabeth Hurley

Sandra

Maria Bello

Maria Bello

Kitty

Owen Wilson

Owen Wilson

Nicky

Lourdes Benedicto

Lourdes Benedicto

Vola

Peter Greene

Peter Greene

Gus

Cheryl Ladd

Cheryl Ladd

Pamela Verlaine

Fred Willard

Fred Willard

Craig Ziffer

Charles Fleischer

Charles Fleischer

Allen from Mr. Chompers

Janeane Garofalo

Janeane Garofalo

Jana Farmer

Connie Nielsen

Connie Nielsen

Dagmar

Sandra Oh

Sandra Oh

Friend

Jerry Stahl

Jerry Stahl

Dr. Murphy

Jay Paulson

Jay Paulson

Phoenix Punk

Spencer Garrett

Spencer Garrett

Brad / Tim from Mr. Chompers

Ask about Permanent Midnight

Opens AI chat

Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

Real Jerry Stahl makes a cameo as a doctor at the detox clinic—grim inside joke.

Cultural

This bombed in '98 but predicted the addiction memoir boom that peaked with A Million Little Pieces.

Gallery

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