The Pledge

Play trailer

The Pledge

R

2001

2h 4m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

78%

Tomatometer

125 Reviews

59%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

On the day of his retirement, detective Jerry Black (Jack Nicholson) accepts a gift -- an airline ticket to Mexico. But when the body of a murdered eight-year-old girl is discovered in the mountains, Jerry offers his expertise at the crime scene. When an ambitious younger cop wrenches a dubious confession from a simple-minded suspect, the case is closed... but not for Jerry.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Though its subject matter is grim and may make viewers queasy, The Pledge features an excellent, subtle performance by Jack Nicholson.

Read Critics Reviews

Jeff Strickler

Minneapolis Star Tribune

Mystery-thriller buffs, promise yourselves that you'll see The Pledge. And while you're at it, be sure to invite along Jack Nicholson fans and anyone who saw the first two movies that Sean Penn directed.

Rated: 3.5/4

Nov 6, 2002

Full Review

Peter Rainer

New York Magazine/Vulture

Penn can't be faulted for his work with the actors. Most of the featured players have only a scene or two, but they're indelible.

Sep 26, 2002

Full Review

Rick Groen

Globe and Mail

Ultimately, the payoffs just aren't there, either psychologically or dramatically.

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 22, 2002

Full Review

Joanne Laurier

World Socialist Web Site

Penn has accommodated himself to the political and artistic status quo in an unfortunate manner.

Mar 5, 2021

Full Review

PJ Nabarro

Patrick Nabarro

Penn intrinsically understands that there can be no epiphanies nor catharsis, as important portents and clues go unanswered as Black drifts into the mire of his obsession.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 2, 2018

Full Review

Blake Howard

Graffiti With Punctuation

It's "one last ride" for our leading character Jerry Black (Nicholson), until he abandons the case and retires. It examines a man trying to relinquish his deduction instincts in exchange for a slippery grip on a 'normal' life.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 9, 2017

Full Review

Read all reviews

few m

not terrible, but slow and drawn out

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

10/09/25

Full Review

EpixEntertainment i

Such a good movie overall but the ending was so disappointing. Plot spoiler: He could have gone mad but there could have been hope that truth would be discovered by police figuring out who the man was that the girl had been talking to. Hated this encing.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

10/04/25

Full Review

Rachel W

The movie was great, but the end was absolutely stupid and terrible. It ruined the entire movie. Not worth the let down.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

10/03/25

Full Review

Kathryn V

That last scene ruined the whole movie for me. If it wasn't for that I'd give it 4 stars.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

07/28/25

Full Review

Robert H

The movie left me mumbling like Jack in the end.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/26/25

Full Review

Divyansh U

This movie is like a dish that looks delicious on the surface but leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. The story takes off well but gets really ridiculous and unbelievable in the second half, leaving you confused and unsatisfied.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/19/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Sean Penn

Director

Jack Nicholson

Jerry Black

Robin Wright

Lori

Aaron Eckhart

Sam Krolak

Patricia Clarkson

Margaret Larsen

Benicio del Toro

Toby Jay Wadenah

Heist

67%

60%

Heist

Watchlist

The Boondock Saints

26%

91%

The Boondock Saints

Watchlist

Insomnia

92%

77%

Insomnia

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Insomnia

The Salton Sea

63%

82%

The Salton Sea

Watchlist

Narc

83%

79%

Narc

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

On the day of his retirement, detective Jerry Black (Jack Nicholson) accepts a gift -- an airline ticket to Mexico. But when the body of a murdered eight-year-old girl is discovered in the mountains, Jerry offers his expertise at the crime scene. When an ambitious younger cop wrenches a dubious confession from a simple-minded suspect, the case is closed... but not for Jerry.

Director: Sean Penn
Producer: Sean Penn, Elie Samaha, Michael Fitzgerald
Screenwriter: Friedrich Dürrenmatt, Jerzy Kromolowski, Mary Olson-Kromolowski
Distributor: E Stars Films, Warner Bros.
Production Co: Morgan Creek Productions, Warner Bros., Pledge Productions Inc., Franchise Pictures, Clyde Is Hungry Productions
Rating: R (Sexuality|Language|Some Violence)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 19, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 2, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $19.7M
Runtime: 2h 4m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Most Popular at Home Now