Dead Man Walking

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Dead Man Walking

R

1995

2h 2m

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

60 Reviews

86%

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50,000+ Ratings

As death row inmate Matthew Poncelet (Sean Penn) nears his execution date, he calls upon Sister Helen Prejean (Susan Sarandon) to help him with one last appeal, maintaining that he is innocent of the murders of a young couple. Poncelet begins to form a bond with Prejean, and she visits both his family and the relatives of the victims, hoping to learn more about the case. As things begin to look bleak for Poncelet, Prejean does all that she can to comfort and console the hardened convict.

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Critics Consensus

A powerful, thought-provoking film that covers different angles of its topic without resorting to preaching, Dead Man Walking will cause the viewer to reflect regardless of their political viewpoint.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

02/23/2018

It's a strong film, made stronger by two terrific performances. Penn's acting has ruthless honesty.

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David Stratton

At the Movies (Australia)

02/12/2016

4/5

It's an important film and a beautifully made film too.

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Emanuel Levy

Variety

06/10/2006

4/5

Tim Robbins's balanced yet uncompromising approach refuses to judge any of the characters, including the killer (superlatively played by Sean Penn), instead giving each a fair chance to present their case with dignity and respect.

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Sheila Reid

Women in the Life

05/13/2022

A riveting, thought-provoking drama.

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Brian D. Johnson

Maclean's Magazine

10/21/2019

Penn plays Matthew with a quiet, feral intensity...

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Malcolm L. Johnson

Hartford Courant

05/03/2018

Penn and Sarandon in their final moments together achieve a strange transcendence that makes the end of Dead Man Walking sobering and horrifying, yet oddly uplifting.

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Frans B

@FransB Jun 21

Brilliant, powerful and shockingly revealing movie. It will make you think and doubt. Tim Robbins masterpiece. Surely an epic classic. Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn so absolutely and unabashedly convincing in character, whole stellar cast excels in character. This is not a preaching, it's the harsh reality and unsettling elements of this topic. So much emotion, intrigue, drama, suspense and real life dilemma. Absolute must - see

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Margaret T

@Margaret47 Apr 18

It's possible to love this film no matter how you feel about capital punishment (my own opinion on it changes constantly). Whatever your beliefs, I defy anyone not to be moved by this film. The last quarter of it always brings me to tears, a very rare thing for me. Amazing work from the two leads. (I don't recommend letting it decide your opinion on capital punishment, however. The real life Poncelet and Prejean were not as sympathetic.)

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Ricardo A

@Cmdr_Ricardo_USN-ret Apr 16

Great movie. Even though personally I think Sarandon and Penn are assholes they are great actors. I love the execution where the nurse rubs alcohol on Penn's arm during the lethal injection setup. Was his corpse going to get sepsis or hepatitis?

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Chris B.

@Papa13070 Mar 30

Totally absorbing, gut wrenching, confronting film. Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn completely blow the screen away. You forget you are watching a movie at all. Tim Robbins directed a classic.

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Christopher J.

@CMURDR77 Jan 4

Penn’s breakout role in my opinion and SS shines as always. The Matthew Poncelet character is not a complex one but the role is as complex as it gets. The whole fascination with what happens on Death Row as the months count down until the Days dwindle to weeks then to the final days and then the final hours. Jack Black actually shines in his minor role as MPs little brother. I think Penn took roles like this one to get the Spicoli character as far removed has he could get it and this role definitely did that. Whenever I see Ermey is in something I always give whatever it is a watch. I enjoyed the both sides this film let us see. The families of the murdered and the family of the convicted.

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Theo E

@RT28777462 Aug 30

A Haiku Review: A rare movie that Bothers to challenge viewpoints Without taking sides

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Tim Robbins

Director

Susan Sarandon

Sister Helen Prejean

Sean Penn

Matthew Poncelet

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Raymond J. Barry

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Synopsis

As death row inmate Matthew Poncelet (Sean Penn) nears his execution date, he calls upon Sister Helen Prejean (Susan Sarandon) to help him with one last appeal, maintaining that he is innocent of the murders of a young couple. Poncelet begins to form a bond with Prejean, and she visits both his family and the relatives of the victims, hoping to learn more about the case. As things begin to look bleak for Poncelet, Prejean does all that she can to comfort and console the hardened convict.

Director: Tim Robbins
Producer: Rudd Simmons, Tim Robbins, Jon Kilik
Screenwriter: Tim Robbins
Distributor: MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., Gramercy Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corp.
Production Co: PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 29, 1995, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 7, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $37.1M
Runtime: 2h 2m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)