Dead Man Walking | Rotten Tomatoes

Dead Man Walking

R

Released Dec 29, 1995

2h 2m

Crime

Drama

List

95%

Tomatometer

61 Reviews

86%

Audience Score

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.

Read Critics Reviews

David Ansen

Newsweek

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

Feb 23, 2018

Full Review

David Stratton

At the Movies (Australia)

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

Rated: 4/5

Feb 12, 2016

Full Review

Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films

Rated: A

Oct 29, 2008

Full Review

Sheila Reid

Women in the Life

A riveting, thought-provoking drama.

May 13, 2022

Full Review

Brian D. Johnson

Maclean's Magazine

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

Oct 21, 2019

Full Review

Malcolm Johnson

Hartford Courant

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.

May 3, 2018

Full Review

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Mike P

Searing screed about the death penalty; taken from Sr Helen Pejean's fact-based and autobiographical docunovel; brilliant performances; very haunting and moving.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/31/24

Full Review

Alec C

Are we capable of being redeemed or are we doomed to oblivion after death? As a nun attempts to assist a convict on death row to find forgiveness, while attempting to get his sentence commuted to life imprisonment, despite the family of the victims demanding execution. A deep and insightful look into the complexities of salvation and acceptance, this story makes us wonder what'll happen to our eternal soul?!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/12/24

Full Review

David H

Good film. Brilliant acting by the two leads.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/01/23

Full Review

KB B

This was such a compelling movie with great acting. Sean Penn and Susan Sarandon were both outstanding. It's definitely worth the watch. 4.5 stars

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/20/23

Full Review

Alec B

It's an effective argument against the death penalty and one that does not entirely invalidate the opposing point of view. Penn and Sarandon give two truly powerful performances.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/13/23

Full Review

Avindu G

The world is reshaped by courageous people. Where would us be if not for them. Love empathy and reason is a wonderful occurrence, something that is truly hard to express with all darkness that grows and regrows. That love that keen patient empathy was put to motion by Susan S masterfully. Penn's performance was flawless and sincere. Cinematography is excellent such as the reflections on the glass door of death row cell. Unique background music that relates to the tone of the story. A well written story that puts viewers on contradiction and salvage them with the message of hope, commitment and courage.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/01/23

Full Review

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Tim Robbins

Director

Susan Sarandon

Sister Helen Prejean

Sean Penn

Matthew Poncelet

Robert Prosky

Hilton Barber

Raymond J. Barry

Earl Delacroix

R. Lee Ermey

Clyde Percy

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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)

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