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Into the Abyss

Play trailer Poster for Into the Abyss PG-13 2011 1h 47m Documentary Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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92% Tomatometer 117 Reviews 76% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Filmmaker Werner Herzog explores capital punishment through interviews with convicted killers, their victims' families, and members of the Texas criminal justice system.

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Into the Abyss

Into the Abyss

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Critics Consensus

Another probing, insightful look at an interesting subject, Werner Herzog explores the American prison system with passion and not politics.

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Critics Reviews

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Tony Rayns Sight & Sound 07/06/2018
Into the Abyss is not just a compelling documentary about a convicted murderer on Death Row, but a further chapter in Werner Herzog's obsessive exploration of the American way of life - and death. Go to Full Review Nicolas Rapold Film Comment Magazine 07/01/2013
The star filmmaker, oft mocked for verging on self-parody, keeps his Teutonic explorer persona in check and allows his subjects' emotional outpourings-sadness, shame, dread, and desperation, and unexpected glimmers of hope and happiness-to set the tone. Go to Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian 03/29/2012
3/5
It's a decent film, though I felt that a clearer, sharper light could have been cast on the defendants themselves. Go to Full Review Dennis Harvey 48 Hills 11/10/2023
You can say a lot about Werner Herzog, but who else could it be said of that he has fully earned the right to publicly address the most profound questions of our (or any) era? Go to Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review 03/06/2023
4/4
Whatever expectations you have entering this documentary, no matter how adamant your feelings are for or against capital punishment, they become another feeling entirely by the time it’s over. Go to Full Review Dustin Chang Floating World 03/21/2021
With no traces of cynicism or sly wit, Into the Abyss is a particularly straightforward documentary. Thoroughly inquisitive and contemplative, Herzog seems to be saying enough is enough. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Maksim S @MaksimusMovies Nov 10 In this stark and piercing documentary, Herzog winds his way into a Texas triple‑homicide case and the lives it shattered. He interviews the convicted killers, the victims’ families, and even a former execution‑officer, all while refusing easy answers or sensationalism. Bleak, intimate and unflinching, it digs into the human cost of crime and punishment — compelling throughout and never dull. See more Georgan G @RT98616417 05/02/2024 Herzog films the emotional reactions of the killers and the people whose lives they changed. The correctional officer in change of the actual executions, speaks with great impact. See more Aaron J @AarronJ81 03/29/2024 Haunting. A good documentary about the death penalty and the folks left in the wake of a crime. See more Tanya @RT31727819 09/29/2023 Excellent film that highlights for the millionth time how expensive in dollars killing people for justice is. Regardless of your moral stance, it doesn't reduce crime & 1/3 of that money could easily be spent doing things that actually make a difference. Give these white trash moms producing these losers some sex ed & birth control & access to abortion. Or headstart programming. Or an education that doesn't leave fully 1/2 the population illiterate. Only dictatorships & war criminals & the US kill their criminals. Wake up already AND why not save millions in the process? See more Jerod S @jeroduptown 12/28/2021 As for speaking to the death penalty, the film definitely takes a side. As for making the crimes committed a point of interest or the lifestyles of those involved, this documentary was really underwhelming. See more 10/19/2020 The first half was quite interesting, but after that all the interviews seemed to make no sense in the main story. See more Read all reviews
Into the Abyss

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Cast & Crew

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Werner Herzog

Director

Werner Herzog

Narrator

Amy Briamonte

Executive Producer

Dave Harding

Executive Producer

Erik Nelson

Producer

Peter Zeitlinger

Cinematographer

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Into the Abyss

Into the Abyss (2011) Into the Abyss (2011) Michael Perry in "Into the Abyss." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Filmmaker Werner Herzog explores capital punishment through interviews with convicted killers, their victims' families, and members of the Texas criminal justice system.
Director
Werner Herzog
Producer
Erik Nelson
Distributor
IFC Films
Production Co
Werner Herzog Filmproduktion, Spring Films, Creative Differences
Rating
PG-13 (Some Disturbing Images|Mature Thematic Material)
Genre
Documentary, Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 11, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 28, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$222.0K
Runtime
1h 47m
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