The Life of David Gale

Play trailer

The Life of David Gale

R

Released Feb 21, 2003

2h 10m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

19%

Tomatometer

156 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

David Gale (Kevin Spacey) is a man who has tried hard to live by his principles but in a bizarre twist of fate, this devoted father, popular professor and respected death penalty opponent finds himself on Death Row for the rape and murder of fellow activist Constance Hallaway (Laura Linney). With only three days before his scheduled execution, Gale agrees to give reporter Bitsey Bloom (Kate Winslet) the exclusive interview she's been chasing.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

Instead of offering a convincing argument against the death penalty, this implausible, convoluted thriller pounds the viewer over the head with its message.

Read Critics Reviews

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

An overripe melodrama -- a time waster.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 28, 2010

Full Review

Liz Moody

Empire Magazine

Rated: 3/5

Jan 7, 2004

Full Review

David Edelstein

Slate

It would take an intellect far superior to mine to explain the rationale -- or, for that matter, the release -- of David Gale.

Apr 22, 2003

Full Review

Glenn Dunks

Junkee

...one of the most offensively cheap and concocted 'twist' endings of all time

Rated: D

Jan 13, 2014

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: C

Feb 18, 2013

Full Review

Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

Manages to offend the same people it seeks to defend with the most ridiculous and nonsensical endings that I've ever seen.

Apr 29, 2009

Full Review

Read all reviews

Sams K

This one hits hard! Great film with a very deep message.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/27/24

Full Review

Grant H

It's a real shame as this film has some really good ingredients including a fantastic cast and characters as well as the over arching theme of the death penalty. It's certainly a watchable tale, even 20 years on. However some key elements of the story are clumsily written and I'm sure could have been far more gracefully spun into the script and end product.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/09/24

Full Review

Courtney K

even though the ending is predictable now, it probably wasn't 20 years ago when it came out - Kate & Kevin played their parts really well & overall I really love movies like this. i thought it was well done. a really good watch overall.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/02/24

Full Review

Crystal S

Kevin Spacey gives life to this amazing storyline, it made me wonder how often innocent people are found guilty.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/22/24

Full Review

inta k

very good movie, interesting plot

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/24

Full Review

David A

Great story, great cast and keeps you guessing until the end.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/05/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Alan Parker

Director

Kevin Spacey

David Gale

Kate Winslet

Elizabeth "Bitsey" Bloom

Laura Linney

Constance Harraway

Gabriel Mann

Zack

Matt Craven

Dusty

Liberty Stands Still

20%

36%

Liberty Stands Still

Watchlist

The Constant Gardener

83%

82%

The Constant Gardener

Watchlist

A History of Violence

88%

76%

A History of Violence

Watchlist

TRAILER

for A History of Violence

Cold Creek Manor

12%

22%

Cold Creek Manor

Watchlist

Spider

84%

68%

Spider

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

David Gale (Kevin Spacey) is a man who has tried hard to live by his principles but in a bizarre twist of fate, this devoted father, popular professor and respected death penalty opponent finds himself on Death Row for the rape and murder of fellow activist Constance Hallaway (Laura Linney). With only three days before his scheduled execution, Gale agrees to give reporter Bitsey Bloom (Kate Winslet) the exclusive interview she's been chasing.

Director: Alan Parker
Producer: Alan Parker, Nicolas Cage
Screenwriter: Charles Randolph
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Saturn Films, InterMedia Film Equities Ltd.
Rating: R (Nudity|Language|Sexuality|Violent Images)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 21, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 10, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $19.6M
Runtime: 2h 10m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Most Popular at Home Now