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Into the Abyss

Play trailer Poster for Into the Abyss PG-13 Released Nov 11, 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 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. Jul 6, 2018 Full Review Nicolas Rapold Film Comment Magazine 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. Jul 1, 2013 Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian It's a decent film, though I felt that a clearer, sharper light could have been cast on the defendants themselves. Rated: 3/5 Mar 29, 2012 Full Review Dennis Harvey 48 Hills 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? Nov 10, 2023 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review 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. Rated: 4/4 Mar 6, 2023 Full Review Dustin Chang Floating World 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. Mar 21, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Georgan G 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. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 05/02/24 Full Review Aaron J Haunting. A good documentary about the death penalty and the folks left in the wake of a crime. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/29/24 Full Review Tanya 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? Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/29/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Audience Member The first half was quite interesting, but after that all the interviews seemed to make no sense in the main story. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review jorge g We always expect quality from Herzog's documentaries and this one is no exception. While it lacks the punch that would make it great, it's still a very good film that gives an in-depth look at the emotional world of people involved in such tragedies, as well as capital punishment. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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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
Creative Differences, Werner Herzog Filmproduktion, Spring Films
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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