The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain

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The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain

Released Sep 17, 2021

1h 23m

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

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Popcornmeter

97%

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32 Reviews

87%

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50+ Ratings

The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain tells the true story of the final hours of the life of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr., an elderly African-American veteran with bipolar disorder, who was killed during a conflict with police officers who were sent to his home to check on him, when his medical alert device was mistakenly activated. Despite Chamberlain informing the officers there was a mistake and he did not have an emergency, they were recorded taunting him, ridiculing his military service, howling racial epithets at him, and finally, the officers broke his door down and shot him to death.

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Critics Consensus

The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain draws on harrowing real-life events -- and Frankie Faison's remarkable performance -- for a scathing rebuke to a systemic failure.

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Leslie Felperin

Guardian

One of the film’s more audacious qualities is that it just leaves [the] debate to us, choosing to simply depict the events as gathered from investigators and witnesses.

Rated: 4/5

May 4, 2022

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Lisa Kennedy

Variety

Writer-director David Midell and actor Frankie Faison have delivered a taut, emotionally excruciating drama based on the police shooting of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. in White Plains, N.Y.

Dec 13, 2021

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Valerie Complex

Deadline Hollywood Daily

I can say that Frankie Faison illuminates an otherwise empty, hollow film.

Dec 5, 2021

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Dallas King

The People's Movies

This is a film that will make you angry, and rightly so... an incredibly powerful, visceral piece of storytelling and one of the best films of the year.

Rated: 5/5

Nov 13, 2022

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Carla Renata

The Curvy Film Critic

The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain is a glaring, emotionally turbulent reminder of how Black lives have been snuffed and discarded like yesterday's trash. Frankie Faison is remarkable

May 1, 2022

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Robert Denerstein

Denerstein Unleashed

Midell's decision to film in a single room and in the cramped hallway outside Chamberlain's apartment creates 81 minutes of claustrophobic tension.

Jan 28, 2022

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Deb Howard

The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr is a must see. Brilliant writing, great actor portrayal. I know the family of Mr Chamberlain personally and I’m glad the story is finally being told. Faison did an amazing job portraying Mr. Chamberlain!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/19/21

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patricia

It was so sad yet very exciting. Frankie Faison's portrayal of Kenneth Chamberlain was amazing. The script kept you on edge throughout the movie. At the end they played the audio of the actual event which was very impactful. When I left the theater I was emotional and exhausted. Everyone who believes in social justice must see this movie!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/18/21

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Rico N

This film needs to be taught in schools and seen by everyone. Incredibly powerful!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/08/25

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Stephen D

An excellent low budget film telling a true story with impeccable acting. Cinema for thought rather than entertainment.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/07/25

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F W

what a shocking but realistic film this is. i have been full of emotions and thoughts the whole time and i feel so sorry for what this gentleman had to happen to in this terrible unnecessary unfair way! this is really the reality of some officers or other people of how they look down on colored (dark) people and treat them inhumanely. i hope that this will make an impression on many other people just like it did on me and that people will start to see things. realize that some people who are supposed to help you only destroy you and get away with it without mercy or anything. i will take this story, and many other stories, with me for the rest of my life and take it with me to show that i am not like that and want to help every person and offer them opportunities and people who do not think like that I hold this against them so much and hope that they will receive their punishments in hell.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/28/25

Full Review

Drew H

This has to be one of the best short movies I have ever watched. It will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout. The suspense is on a new level that I have never had the experience from any other movie. The factual words at the end are a disgrace in a way you can only make your own mind up on.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/13/24

Full Review

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David Midell

Director

Frankie Faison

Kenneth Chamberlain Sr.

Steve O'Connell

Sergeant Parks

Enrico Natale

Officer Rossi

Ben Marten

Officer Jackson

Angela Peel

Tonyia Greenhill

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The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain: Teaser Trailer

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Synopsis

The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain tells the true story of the final hours of the life of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr., an elderly African-American veteran with bipolar disorder, who was killed during a conflict with police officers who were sent to his home to check on him, when his medical alert device was mistakenly activated. Despite Chamberlain informing the officers there was a mistake and he did not have an emergency, they were recorded taunting him, ridiculing his military service, howling racial epithets at him, and finally, the officers broke his door down and shot him to death.

Director: David Midell
Producer: David Midell, Enrico Natale
Screenwriter: David Midell
Distributor: Gravitas Ventures
Production Co: Revelations Entertainment, Redbird Entertainment, Marginal Mediaworks
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 17, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 17, 2021
Runtime: 1h 23m

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