The Name of the Rose (1986)
Kernel Score: 84% · 3,264 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama, Thriller, Mystery
Released: 1986-09-24
Runtime: 130 minutes
Is The Name of the Rose worth watching?
Worth watching. Sean Connery plays a monk detective investigating deaths in a medieval abbey. It's atmospheric and darkly grim, and it works as a murder mystery, though the religious debates slow it down.
Watch it if you
- like medieval murder mysteries
- enjoy Sean Connery as a sleuth
- appreciate rich period atmosphere
Skip it if you
- want a fast-paced whodunit
- dislike talky religious themes
Best for: Dark, rainy night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch The Name of the Rose
- Stream: Prime Video
- Free with ads: The CW, Kanopy, Hoopla, Fawesome, The Roku Channel
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
14th-century Franciscan monk William of Baskerville and his young novice arrive at a conference to find that several monks have been murdered under mysterious circumstances. To solve the crimes, William must rise up against the Church's authority and fight the shadowy conspiracy of monastery monks using only his intelligence; which is considerable.
The Name of the Rose parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that The Name of the Rose is an R-rated medieval murder mystery involving the Inquisition, torture themes, and being burned at the stake.
- Violence & scariness: Strong — Includes murder, persecution, and execution by burning at the stake within an Inquisition-era setting.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Name of the Rose
If you liked The Name of the Rose, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Se7en (1995) — 92%: Dark, atmospheric murder mystery with a grim solution
- Chinatown (1974) — 87%: Classic detective story with twisty secrets
- The Silence of the Lambs (1991) — 89%: Tense, creepy killer chase with a brilliant villain
- Shutter Island (2010) — 91%: Atmospheric mystery that keeps its secrets to the end
- Mystic River (2003) — 89%: Dark, sombre crime drama
- The Secret in Their Eyes (2009) — 88%: Patient, moving mystery about a long-unsolved crime
Director
Cast
- Sean Connery as William of Baskerville
- Christian Slater as Adso of Melk
- Helmut Qualtinger as Remigio da Varagine
- Ilya Baskin as Severinus
- Michael Lonsdale as The Abbot
- Volker Prechtel as Malachia
- Feodor Chaliapin Jr. as Jorge de Burgos
- William Hickey as Ubertino da Casale
- Michael Habeck as Berengar
- Urs Althaus as Venantius
The Name of the Rose FAQ
Is The Name of the Rose worth watching?
Worth watching. Sean Connery plays a monk detective investigating deaths in a medieval abbey. It's atmospheric and darkly grim, and it works as a murder mystery, though the religious debates slow it down.
Where can I watch The Name of the Rose?
In the US you can stream The Name of the Rose on Prime Video, watch it free with ads on The CW, Kanopy, Hoopla, Fawesome and The Roku Channel and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Name of the Rose OK for kids?
The Name of the Rose is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that The Name of the Rose is an R-rated medieval murder mystery involving the Inquisition, torture themes, and being burned at the stake.
What movies are like The Name of the Rose?
If you liked The Name of the Rose, try Se7en, Chinatown, The Silence of the Lambs and Shutter Island.