The Pledge

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The Pledge

R

2001

2h 4m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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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.

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Critics Consensus

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

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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

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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

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Rick Groen

Globe and Mail

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

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 22, 2002

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Joanne Laurier

World Socialist Web Site

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

Mar 5, 2021

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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

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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

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Horror fan 4

This movie started off strong. The killing of a little girl and Jerry's motivation to catch the killer drives this movie until the last 15 minutes. It ultimately comes to a screeching hault. Terrible ending. Tim Treakle

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/15/25

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M H

Liked the movie enough, but hated the way the ended it for Jack Nicholson character. Terrible ending.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

11/08/25

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Arthur V

I hate writing with all the in-between just for a horrible ending. I hate the ending. Stupid

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

11/06/25

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Shakeel A

I saw this in 2003, and again in 2025. Subtle, quiet, deep, occasionally non-verbal film-making of the highest order. Atmospheres created with superb visual compositions and soundtrack. Attentive cinematography and excellent direction The subject matter is grim, granted However this is mature cinema that requires a viewer’s careful attention and a sense of patience to allow the film to unfold at its own pace. Metaphor runs through with an increasing inevitability. Ignore the complaints about the ending unless you must a simple ties-up-all-the-loose-ends kinda movie to feel satisfied. I found the ending to be in line with the whole movie’s ethos: life doesn’t turn out how you wanted. Excellent cameos from Harry Dean Stanton, Helen Mirren, Vanessa Redgrave, Sam Shephard, Mickey Rourke. Not for under 18’s, utterly harrowing subject matter. Appreciation to Sean Penn for masterful direction.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/31/25

Full Review

Joyce P

The movie was great until it wasn't. Jack Nicholson is one of my favorite actors, and did not dissapoint me in this movie. He was great. The movie held my attention throughout, and I kept saying "This is a great movie." It had me on pins and needles. I just knew he would catch the killer! I thought he would do it all by himself, after his colleagues left him. Not so. The movie took the strangest turn against his noble character. It was totally unrealistic. I just knew investigators would spot the porcupine hanging from the burnt up car, and realize he was right all along. Instead he goes crazy at the end overcome by disbelief in himself. I hated the ending. Don't watch this movie. Even though the ending was very disapointing, Nicholson gave an excellent performance from beginning to end. He was definitely the right actor for this movie. He definitely knows how to depict a crazy person. Remember the movie, "One Flew Over the Cookoos Nest? ( I think that's the name of it.)

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/28/25

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few m

not terrible, but slow and drawn out

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

10/09/25

Full Review

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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)

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