A Time to Kill

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A Time to Kill

R

1996

2h 30m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

67%

Tomatometer

57 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Carl Lee Hailey (Samuel L. Jackson) is a heartbroken black father who avenges his daughter's brutal rape by shooting the bigoted men responsible for the crime as they are on their way to trial. He turns to Jake Brigance (Matthew McConaughey), an untested lawyer, to defend him. Brigance struggles to believe that he can get Hailey acquitted in this small, segregated Southern town, given Hailey's race and the deliberate nature of his crimes, but Carl has unshakable faith in him.

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Critics Consensus

Overlong and superficial, A Time to Kill nonetheless succeeds on the strength of its skillful craftsmanship and top-notch performances.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

In order to enjoy this mediocre John Grisham courtroom drama, labeled as top-notch entertainment by many of my colleagues, you have to accept an ersatz, cartoonish version of the deep south...

Jun 14, 2022

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Chris Peachment

Daily Telegraph (UK)

(Grisham) films are... grossly over-inflated examples of that old genre which hardly ever need change, the courtroom drama. A Time To Kill is no different, except that its verdict would be laughed out of any court anywhere in the civilised world.

Nov 29, 2017

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Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

A likable -- maybe even lovable -- movie.

Jun 14, 2009

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

The performances are strong, the issues provocative.

Rated: B-

Sep 1, 2022

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Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

There is a lot in here that is effective, and plenty that works. There is simply also a lot that doesn’t.

Rated: 6/10

Jul 3, 2022

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a slow-moving yet mostly engrossing drama...

Rated: 3/4

Jun 13, 2021

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Christian K

A Reliably solid legal thriller that has way too big a middle and repetitive themes and scenes to make it all the way there.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/03/25

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Peach pastel A

This movie was honestly amazing. It had me emotional, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it after. The story was tragic and intense, and the cast was incredible. I was super impressed by everyone’s performances, especially Matthew McConaughey—his courtroom scene at the end actually brought me to tears. I’m not sure how realistic the trial part was, but that didn’t really matter to me. As a viewer, I cared more about how the story made me feel, and it really hit hard. I also wasn’t sure how realistic it was that people were so open about being in the KKK, but maybe that’s just how it was in Mississippi. Either way, that part didn’t bother me too much—it just made me think. Samuel L. Jackson and Sandra Bullock were both amazing too. This movie had so many powerful and emotional moments. I’d definitely watch it again and recommend it to my friends and family. Easily a 5 out of 5 for me.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/03/25

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murtaza v

One of those rare movies that lingers in your mind, making you think well after it’s over. A heartwarming courtroom drama. Loved it!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/22/25

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thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/15/25

Full Review

Johannes S

Outstanding performances and an interesting plotline. All in all, a really good courtroom drama, even if it's too long.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/26/25

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Duncan S

Really awful.. given the cast. An apparently serious story strung together by cliches. So much stereotypes 🙄 Possibly worth watching because Sandra Bullock is always brilliant 👍

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

04/08/25

Full Review

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Joel Schumacher

Director

Sandra Bullock

Ellen Roark

Samuel L. Jackson

Carl Lee Hailey

Matthew McConaughey

Jake Tyler Brigance

Kevin Spacey

D.A. Rufus Buckley

Brenda Fricker

Ethel Twitty

Unfaithful

50%

68%

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Synopsis

Carl Lee Hailey (Samuel L. Jackson) is a heartbroken black father who avenges his daughter's brutal rape by shooting the bigoted men responsible for the crime as they are on their way to trial. He turns to Jake Brigance (Matthew McConaughey), an untested lawyer, to defend him. Brigance struggles to believe that he can get Hailey acquitted in this small, segregated Southern town, given Hailey's race and the deliberate nature of his crimes, but Carl has unshakable faith in him.

Director: Joel Schumacher
Producer: Arnon Milchan, Michael G. Nathanson, Hunt Lowry, John Grisham
Screenwriter: Akiva Goldsman
Production Co: Regency Enterprises
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 12, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $108.7M
Runtime: 2h 30m
Sound Mix: Surround

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