Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

Confessions of a Good Samaritan

Play trailer Poster for Confessions of a Good Samaritan Released Jun 28 1h 45m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
100% Tomatometer 22 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Director Penny Lane's decision to become a "good Samaritan" by giving one of her kidneys to a stranger turns into a funny and moving personal quest to understand the nature of altruism. Confessions of a Good Samaritan is a provocative inquiry into the science, history, and ethics of organ transplantation, asking an ancient question in a whole new way: Who is your neighbor, and what do you owe them?
Watch on Netflix Stream Now

Where to Watch

Confessions of a Good Samaritan

Critics Reviews

View All (22) Critics Reviews
Alissa Simon Variety The low-budget production benefits from an articulate and charismatic lineup of expert interviewees, fascinating archival footage and some welcome humor. Jul 17, 2024 Full Review Robert Abele Los Angeles Times “Confessions” is as much about the mysteries of our human impulses as it is about elective surgery and the roots of altruism. Jul 15, 2024 Full Review Natalia Winkelman New York Times But what begins as an optimistic piece of advocacy eventually veers into something more complex, ambivalent and even frantic. Jul 1, 2024 Full Review Lael Loewenstein FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles) A fascinating window into that whole world and highlights the need for organ donation. Jul 13, 2024 Full Review Christopher Campbell Nonfics The documentary isn’t necessarily about Lane giving away a kidney...her honesty and candidness through it all are as admirable as the deed itself. Jun 29, 2024 Full Review Stephen Silver The SS Ben Hecht The ace documentarian, who told the stories of Satanists and Kenny G, turns the camera on herself and her intriguing quest to donate a kidney. Rated: 4/5 Jun 27, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (2) audience reviews
Frank V Here’s a documentarian whose real name is Penny Lane. She makes thought-provoking docs that challenge you, demand your attention, and makes you really think. If any filmmaker gives deep meaning to the phrase “a Penny for your thoughts,” this is the one. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/28/24 Full Review Axton B Lane’s struggle with her motivations comes across as performative, as if she’s trying to prove she’s a good person while wrestling with deep insecurities and a need for validation. Her use of Christ-like imagery and the title itself sets up a savior complex that she claims to reject, but her actions throughout the documentary suggest otherwise. The film’s strongest elements, like its technical execution and Lane’s natural charisma, are overshadowed by a lack of genuine self-awareness. She touches on moments of vulnerability only to quickly retreat, making it hard for the audience to connect with her journey on a deeper level. What could have been a thoughtful exploration of privilege, altruism, and the complexity of personal motivation ends up feeling flat and somewhat disingenuous. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 10/21/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Confessions of a Good Samaritan

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

Show Less Cast & Crew Show More Cast & Crew

More Like This

View All Best Movies to Stream at Home
Another Body 91% 80% Another Body Watchlist Rudy! A Documusical 20% % Rudy! A Documusical Watchlist Fathom 58% 38% Fathom Watchlist TRAILER for Fathom The Grab 81% 100% The Grab Watchlist Aftershock 100% 54% Aftershock Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All Confessions of a Good Samaritan photos

Confessions of a Good Samaritan

Confessions of a Good Samaritan (2023) Confessions of a Good Samaritan (2023) Confessions of a Good Samaritan (2023) Confessions of a Good Samaritan (2023) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Director Penny Lane's decision to become a "good Samaritan" by giving one of her kidneys to a stranger turns into a funny and moving personal quest to understand the nature of altruism. Confessions of a Good Samaritan is a provocative inquiry into the science, history, and ethics of organ transplantation, asking an ancient question in a whole new way: Who is your neighbor, and what do you owe them?
Director
Penny Lane
Producer
Gabriel Sedgwick
Distributor
Sandbox Films
Production Co
Sandbox Films
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 28, 2024, Limited
Runtime
1h 45m
Most Popular at Home Now