The Fear of 13

2015

1h 36m

Documentary

Biography

Crime

Drama

List

94%

Tomatometer

16 Reviews

86%

Audience Score

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.

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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

Full Review

Geoffrey Macnab

Independent (UK)

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

Rated: 4/5

Nov 13, 2015

Full Review

David Brake

One Room With A View

The unexpurgated truth is haunting, unembellished and compelling.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 17, 2019

Full Review

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

Full Review

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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

Full Review

Audience Member

Extremely upsetting. Heart hugs for Nick

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

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: English (United Kingdom)
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 23, 2017
Runtime: 1h 36m

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