The Fear of 13

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The Fear of 13

2015

1h 36m

Documentary

Biography

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

16 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

After more than 20 years on death row, a convicted murderer petitions the court asking to be executed. But as he tells his story, it gradually becomes clear that nothing is quite what it seems.

Scott Tobias

Variety

"The Fear of 13" is the classic stranger-than-fiction scenario, but it's also a testament to the power of storytelling, which can make the truth sound like embellishment.

Mar 29, 2016

Full Review

Mark Kermode

Observer (UK)

Not so much an interviewee as a monologuist, Yarris leads us on a labyrinthine journey that has as much to say about the art of storytelling as it does about the iniquities of crime and punishment.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 15, 2015

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Geoffrey Macnab

Independent (UK)

This is virtuoso film-making only partially let down by its artifice.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 13, 2015

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David Brake

One Room With A View

The unexpurgated truth is haunting, unembellished and compelling.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 17, 2019

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Matthew Anderson

CineVue

The Fear of 13 attains a hard fought optimism with a redemptive message so often lacking in prison-set drama and non-fiction. Nick is a captivating, even mesmerising, subject.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 8, 2019

Full Review

Nico Hines

The Daily Beast

It could only make sense in the twisted world of American justice. A death row prisoner's life was saved because he wrote to a judge begging to be executed.

Mar 6, 2019

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Alec R

bad movie with no depth (my boring teacher made us do a film study on this)

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It's hard for me to tell if I can truly believe in every words coming out of this man's mouth, but I still think this is a very interesting piece to watch as the way of storytelling is fascinating, the way you are drawn into his story with his monologues and occasional sound effects.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

Full Review

theo m

Enthralling story! Totally recommend.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Extremely upsetting. Heart hugs for Nick

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

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Audience Member

Amazing film because of the guy, but David Sington can fuck off. He didn't pay off Nike Yarris. Are you kidding me?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Nick Yarris is an amazing storyteller, and the story he's telling is almost unbelievable. A must-see for documentary lovers.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

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David Sington

Director

Nick Yarris

Actor

Sammy Silverwatch

Actor

Herbert A. Fuchs

Actor

Chris Riley

Producer

Haroula Rose

Producer

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Synopsis

After more than 20 years on death row, a convicted murderer petitions the court asking to be executed. But as he tells his story, it gradually becomes clear that nothing is quite what it seems.

Director: David Sington
Producer: Chris Riley, Haroula Rose, David Sington
Production Co: Dox Productions Ltd
Genre: Documentary, Biography, Crime, Drama
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 23, 2017
Runtime: 1h 36m

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