Dead Man Walking
1995 · Movie · R · 122 min · ★ 7.3 · 89% critics
In the days before a scheduled execution, a death row inmate seeks spiritual guidance from a local nun. Their meetings bring up questions about responsibility, faith, and forgiveness as the clock ticks down.
Based on Dead Man Walking
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Details
- Years
- 1995
- Release date
- 1995-12-29
- Language
- English
- Rated
- R
- Runtime
- 122 min
- Max quality
- HD
- Critic score
- 89/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.3/10 (1,503 votes)
About
You’ll like Dead Man Walking if you want a somber, emotionally driven drama about redemption and the death penalty debate rather than taking a side; Not for you if graphic crime content and intense moral questions feel too much, or if you prefer more action like The Insider.
Pros: powerful lead performances; thoughtful balance; emotional, human drama | Cons: heavy, difficult subject; can feel overlong
Themes
- prison
- death penalty
- right and justice
- rape
- rage and hate
- unsociability
- court case
- court
- nun
- penalty
- therapist
- sentence
- +20 more
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best Actress · 1996
- Academy Award — Best Actress · 1996 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Director · 1996 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Actor · 1996 · nominated
Cast & crew
Susan Sarandon
as Sister Helen Prejean
Sean Penn
as Matthew Poncelet
Robert Prosky
as Hilton Barber
Raymond J. Barry
as Earl Delacroix
R. Lee Ermey
as Clyde Percy
Celia Weston
as Mary Beth Percy
Lois Smith
as Helen's Mother
Scott Wilson
as Chaplain Farley
Roberta Maxwell
as Lucille Poncelet
Margo Martindale
as Sister Colleen
Directed by Tim Robbins