Dead Man Walking
Seen it?1995 | 122 min | Drama
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (97% on Rotten Tomatoes), it won an Oscar, it made about 8 times its budget and it's still drawing plenty of interest. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved He Got Game or Cape Fear, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 2 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
A death row inmate turns for spiritual guidance to a local nun in the days leading up to his scheduled execution for the murders of a young couple.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 80 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.3 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 1 Oscar: Academy Awards: Best Actress. Won 1 SAG Award: Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role. Won 1 Berlin award: Berlin International Film Festival: Best Foreign Film. Won 1 Independent Spirit Award: Independent Spirit Awards: Best Male Lead. Also nominated for 3 more Oscars, 3 Golden Globes and 1 more SAG Award. Plus 14 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$83 million worldwide on a $11 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 348K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Tim Robbins
- Susan SarandonSister Helen Prejean
- Sean PennMatthew Poncelet
- Robert ProskyHilton Barber
- Raymond J. BarryEarl Delacroix
- R. Lee ErmeyClyde Percy
- Celia WestonMary Beth Percy
- Lois SmithHelen's Mother
- Scott WilsonChaplain Farley
- Roberta MaxwellLucille Poncelet
- Margo MartindaleSister Colleen