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A Time to Kill

Play trailer Poster for A Time to Kill R 1996 2h 30m Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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A Time to Kill

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review Lisa Schwarzbaum Entertainment Weekly Rated: C Sep 7, 2011 Full Review Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault The performances are strong, the issues provocative. Rated: B- Sep 1, 2022 Full Review 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 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...a slow-moving yet mostly engrossing drama... Rated: 3/4 Jun 13, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
A Time to Kill

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Movie Info

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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