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Runaway Jury

Play trailer Poster for Runaway Jury PG-13 Released Oct 17, 2003 2h 7m Mystery & Thriller Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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73% Tomatometer 161 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
After a workplace shooting in New Orleans, a trial against the gun manufacturer pits lawyer Wendell Rohr (Dustin Hoffman) against shady jury consultant Rankin Fitch (Gene Hackman), who uses illegal means to stack the jury with people sympathetic to the defense. But when juror Nicholas Easter (John Cusack) and his girlfriend, Marlee (Rachel Weisz), reveal their ability to sway the jury into delivering any verdict they want, a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game begins.

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Runaway Jury

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Critics Consensus

An implausible but entertaining legal thriller.

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Critics Reviews

View All (161) Critics Reviews
David Germain Associated Press Director Gary Fleder's brisk, assured pacing also makes the implausibilities go down easier. Nov 12, 2018 Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media Legal thriller isn't aimed at kids. Rated: 3/5 Dec 28, 2010 Full Review Empire Magazine Rated: 4/5 Apr 1, 2006 Full Review Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) Another John Grisham book forms the basis for another decent (if not dazzling) courtroom drama. Rated: 3/5 May 4, 2020 Full Review Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens It's [John] Grisham at his finest. Spellbinding. Riveting. Intriguing. Hackman, Hoffman, Cusack and Davison. Put me in that courtroom now. Nov 9, 2019 Full Review PJ Nabarro Patrick Nabarro A lovely little dash of Hollywood hokum. Rated: 3/5 Mar 16, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Farah R There's enough to admire in this fast-paced courtroom thriller, but aside from the good acting and interesting premise, there's too much going on that it's often all over the place. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/21/25 Full Review Michael T I love this movie, from the moment it came out til this day, the only John Cusack movie I would ever recommend someone to watch, a stellar cast appear in this completely unrealistic but entertaining film Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/30/25 Full Review Marco L (ENGLISH) With a star-studded cast and based on a John Grisham novel, this film aims to deliver a gripping portrayal of power and manipulation within the judicial system. While it manages to hold the audience's attention throughout its over two-hour runtime, the final result falls short of its ambitious premise. The story blends courtroom intrigue with dramatic twists, but at times sacrifices credibility in favor of visual and emotional spectacle that, while entertaining, can feel somewhat contrived. Gary Fleder's direction attempts to assert a distinctive style with editing and cinematographic choices designed to impress, though they sometimes distract rather than enhance the narrative. The cast, led by Gene Hackman and Dustin Hoffman, provides a solid foundation for the film. However, the script fails to fully capitalize on this ensemble's talent, leaving some characters underutilized. Despite this, the performances succeed in sustaining a story that, while lacking depth in its social critique, remains engaging. Visually, the film boasts polished production values, but certain stylistic choices—such as the overuse of modern cameras and flashy effects—may feel unnecessary. This contributes to a narrative that prioritizes spectacle over introspection, weakening the film's core message. In summary, Runaway Jury is an entertaining legal thriller, ideal for casual viewing, but it doesn’t delve deeply into the ethical and legal dilemmas it raises. While it doesn’t leave a lasting impression, it fulfills its purpose as an enjoyable spectacle. (CASTELLANO) Con un reparto lleno de estrellas y basada en una novela de John Grisham, esta película busca ofrecer una visión impactante del poder y la manipulación en los procesos judiciales. Si bien logra mantener el interés a lo largo de sus más de dos horas de duración, el resultado final no termina de estar a la altura de su ambición. La historia mezcla intriga judicial y giros argumentales, pero en ocasiones sacrifica la verosimilitud a favor de un espectáculo visual y emocional que, aunque entretenido, puede sentirse algo forzado. La dirección de Gary Fleder intenta imponer un estilo propio con decisiones de montaje y fotografía que buscan impresionar, pero que a veces distraen más de lo que enriquecen la trama. Los actores, liderados por Gene Hackman y Dustin Hoffman, aportan solidez al conjunto. Sin embargo, el guion no explota todo el potencial de este elenco de lujo, dejando la sensación de que algunos personajes están desaprovechados. A pesar de esto, las interpretaciones logran sostener una historia que, aunque carece de profundidad en su crítica social, resulta amena. Visualmente, el filme cuenta con una producción bien cuidada, pero ciertos elementos estilísticos, como el uso excesivo de cámaras modernas y recursos visuales, pueden parecer innecesarios. Esto contribuye a una narrativa que busca más impresionar que reflexionar, lo que resta fuerza al mensaje central de la película. En resumen, El jurado es un thriller judicial entretenido, ideal para pasar el rato, pero que no profundiza lo suficiente en los dilemas éticos y legales que plantea. Aunque no deja una gran huella, cumple con su objetivo de ofrecer un espectáculo disfrutable. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/26/25 Full Review mark g Terrible casting, poor direction, and so many eyestraining moments. Love Grisham, but this was made for TV crap. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 12/27/24 Full Review Todd E B This started off okay. But once things got rolling, there's no one to like. Even the dead man's wife doesn't have enough development to care about her. Gene Hackman's character is despicable, Dustin Hoffman's character is unlikable, John Kusack and his girlfriend are horrible. Because there's no one to like, it's hard to care about where this movie is going. The verdict doesn't matter. I've loved all of the Grisham films... This one fails miserably. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 12/09/24 Full Review Jerod S After a mass shooting, Cusak and Weisz inflitrate the jury deciding whether or not to hold gun companies liable. Rachel has a grudge to bear from her sister being killed in a gun shooting. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/27/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Runaway Jury

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Movie Info

Synopsis After a workplace shooting in New Orleans, a trial against the gun manufacturer pits lawyer Wendell Rohr (Dustin Hoffman) against shady jury consultant Rankin Fitch (Gene Hackman), who uses illegal means to stack the jury with people sympathetic to the defense. But when juror Nicholas Easter (John Cusack) and his girlfriend, Marlee (Rachel Weisz), reveal their ability to sway the jury into delivering any verdict they want, a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game begins.
Director
Gary Fleder
Producer
Gary Fleder, Arnon Milchan, Christopher Mankiewicz
Screenwriter
David Levien, Brian Koppelman, Matthew Chapman, John Grisham
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
New Regency Pictures, Mojo Films
Rating
PG-13 (Thematic Elements|Language|Violence)
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 17, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$49.4M
Runtime
2h 7m
Sound Mix
Surround
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