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A Time to Kill
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A Time to Kill

1996
Drama
Suspense/Thriller
2h 29m
A young lawyer defends a black man accused of murdering two men who raped his 10-year-old daughter, sparking a rebirth of the KKK. (imdb)
Directed by:
Joel Schumacher Joel Schumacher
Written by:
Akiva Goldsman Akiva Goldsman John Grisham John Grisham
+1 more
Starring:
Chris Cooper Chris Cooper Kevin Spacey Kevin Spacey Matthew McConaughey Matthew McConaughey Donald Sutherland Donald Sutherland Oliver Platt Oliver Platt Samuel L. Jackson Samuel L. Jackson Charles S. Dutton Charles S. Dutton Sandra Bullock Sandra Bullock Kiefer Sutherland Kiefer Sutherland Ashley Judd Ashley Judd Beth Grant Beth Grant John Diehl John Diehl
More
Genres:
Drama, Suspense/Thriller, Crime
Country:
USA
Language:
English
imdb More information at IMDb
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A Time to Kill

1996
Drama
Suspense/Thriller
2h 29m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 51.95% from 2429 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

(2429)
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hellboy76hellboy76
Rated 20 Sep 2010
67
57th
Simplistic and familiar story is raised a bit by some solid performances and a well known cast.
Rated 20 Sep 2010
frederikaFrederikA
Rated 12 Oct 2009
70
67th
Perhaps the pinnacle of 90s Grisham-styled thrillers, and most definitely still a good watch, in all it's simplistic glory. In retrospect, though, Schumacher's usual vigilante-glorifying and the somewhat disconcerting notion about how true justice is acquired can leave a sour taste in your mouth...
Rated 12 Oct 2009
nearphotisonNearphotison
Rated 05 Feb 2013
79
58th
The Mockingbird-esque plot is highlighted by some really stellar performances. Feels a bit anvilicious with some of its morals, but McConaughey is great and I have to applaud the film for not hooking him up with Bullock in the end.
Rated 05 Feb 2013
luna6ixLuna6ix
Rated 29 Dec 2021
73
44th
Never the fan of courtroom dramas, I had a better time with this one than I expected. The court scenes are present, but there's a good chunk here that takes place elsewhere. The weakest part here is that all the characters seem rather one dimensional, and the movie itself seems to have decided what is right for the viewer, and even if I agree, I'm not a fan of movies telling me what to think. Additionally, I don't really understand why Bullock needed to be in this.
Rated 29 Dec 2021
doiresdoires
Rated 17 Nov 2007
65
29th
Probably as good as a John Grisham movie can get. Jackson and Spacey at it again.
Rated 17 Nov 2007
mentaculusMentaculus
Rated 28 May 2009
19
4th
Morally unsound and sensationalist.
Rated 28 May 2009
baggerBagger
Rated 27 May 2012
65
38th
On one hand, Matthew McConaughey pulls of a pretty good performance, probably setting the bar for loveable sleazeballs in from then on in. On the other hand - he throws a freaking pipe bomb halfway through the movie.... seriously, a pipe bomb.
Rated 27 May 2012
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 02 Mar 2007
60
62nd
Good film.
Rated 02 Mar 2007
spleenspleen
Rated 18 May 2012
78
61st
Damn, I was lied to. This wasn't a comedy at all. How could any movie starring Sandra Bullock and Matthew McConaughey not be a light-hearted comedic romp? Except for when the KKK leader was set on fire, I barely even cracked a smile. Extras points to the always underrated Charles Dutton as well as the inimitable Battling Sutherlands.
Rated 18 May 2012
sanjurosanjuro
Rated 14 Aug 2007
10
5th
Manipulative, sensationalist garbage.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
foobekahFoobekah
Rated 14 Dec 2009
70
8th
Your basic Grisham. Except I hate Matthew McConahay.
Rated 14 Dec 2009
sproostsproost
Rated 12 Dec 2023
55
34th
As usual with Grisham a pretty unlikely story but this time it’s quite watchable and has that cozy mid 90s courtroom VHS feeling, featuring McConaughey in his hunky prime and a frisky Sandra Bullock. Maybe a lot of the payoff has its footing in a slightly questionable foundation built on emotional manipulation. The suffer-tourism may not be based on real events, it still feels a bit off to me. Had a pretty good time though
Rated 12 Dec 2023
citizenxCitizenX
Rated 13 Aug 2007
42
34th
not a bad movie, just a boring one
Rated 13 Aug 2007
dsterndstern
Rated 05 Nov 2010
60
75th
Matthew McConaghey's acting is about as forgettable as the spelling of his last name, and Kiefer Sutherland as a KKK member was frightening, but all in all a pretty good movie.
Rated 05 Nov 2010
pigletPiglet
Rated 09 Jun 2009
70
59th
Great story, topic is a blinder, and acting not bad either.
Rated 09 Jun 2009
kito1kito1
Rated 26 Mar 2017
60
47th
Mostly forgettable court room film, but the ending is quite good. Really makes you question the US judicial system.
Rated 26 Mar 2017
silverlitSilver_lit
Rated 07 Aug 2014
81
78th
Matthew McConaughey's breakthrough performance as a lawyer that struggles with the racial tensions in the South. Too many characters and some slow pacing pushes this film down from brilliance.
Rated 07 Aug 2014
poydflinkPoydflink
Rated 30 Aug 2011
20
2nd
This movie tells an ethically wrong story, and tries to convince the spectator with things not relevant to the case, that do not undue the wrong done by the defendant. It's manipulative and doesn't make sense. Also, predictable and some bad acting overall.
Rated 30 Aug 2011
rdwn29905rdwn29905
Rated 13 Jun 2007
71
55th
worth a watch
Rated 13 Jun 2007
roberobe
Rated 03 Oct 2018
59
34th
some very cliche and some very cheese scenes.
Rated 03 Oct 2018
bookhouseboybookhouseboy
Rated 04 Sep 2010
46
61st
#90s#, story, casting.
Rated 04 Sep 2010
ocelotOcelot
Rated 26 Feb 2015
40
31st
This movie has a lot of dumb bullshit.
Rated 26 Feb 2015
drewrocks34drewrocks34
Rated 14 Aug 2007
51
39th
It was average
Rated 14 Aug 2007
cowmanCowman
Rated 08 Mar 2023
75
75th
Probably one of the most awesome A-list casts to be put in one single movie. Loved every sweaty second of the 2h30 runtime. Sure it's predictable, in your face morals,...almost silly sometimes. Especially with the constant melodramatic monologues and over-the-top violence in between. I guess I just like the vibe, the awesome cast, the DRAMA. Also really love how in every scene every character is just completely hosed down with water.
Rated 08 Mar 2023
billkerwinbillkerwin
Rated 09 Feb 2010
76
31st
So-so Grisham thirller.
Rated 09 Feb 2010
mjvmoviemanMJVmovieMan
Rated 20 Mar 2007
84
85th
One of the few Schumacher greats, in fact the only one. A stellar all-star cast in an exceptionally well crafted courtroom drama, featuring a final monologue from Matthew McConoughey to make the tear ducts drain.
Rated 20 Mar 2007
lookjabbaLookJabba...
Rated 04 Mar 2014
7
57th
A Time To Kill is one of the few decent Joel Schumacher films and interesting John Grisham adaptions. The story is a simplistic slow burner, but a solid screenplay and a great performance from Matthew McConaughey make this a worthy watch. Samuel L. Jackson is decent also but his screen time is surprisingly minimal. And the supporting cast on the whole is strong. There are flaws and some questionable ethics and morals. But the final monologue from McConaughey is incredibly intense and powerful.
Rated 04 Mar 2014
svicciarellisvicciarelli
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
82nd
Terrific in most respects. Splendid dialogue and fierce acting.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
noisebloomnoisebloom
Rated 01 Apr 2022
62
15th
A Time to Kill takes an intriguing story and turns it into a feel-good, cheesy affair that has no edge and continually trips over its own tropes. The movie is saved by fantastic performances by McConaughey and Jackson.
Rated 01 Apr 2022
cat9mancat9man
Rated 06 Oct 2012
55
14th
Racially charged revenge plot reincarnates the expected stereotypes in the deep south.
Rated 06 Oct 2012
lrampartllrampartl
Rated 14 Aug 2007
46
23rd
Good story, good acting. But way too many characters, and the film couldn't concentrate on a single scene long enough to give it any sort of importance. It just felt all over the place. And I didn't buy McConaughey here at all. And the end felt anti-climactic somehow. Thumbs down.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
stainStain
Rated 04 Jun 2007
60
47th
Silly. A grownups' movie for little kids
Rated 04 Jun 2007
timon88Timon88
Rated 12 Oct 2019
42
34th
One doesn't read John Grisham books expecting any sort of complexity--at least I hope not...if so, they're in for a BIG disappointment. So this is about what one should expect, I suppose...simplistic, yet fairly solidly entertaining. No actual human beings portrayed herein--everyone is a caricature. I assiduously avoid the South, so I assume the KKK stuff is overdone, but...? Brenda Fricker fares the best, and Sandra Bullock is better here than anything she's done in the last 20 years.
Rated 12 Oct 2019
servantdagonServantDagon
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
51st
Oh wow, a non-sucky Joel Schumacher film!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
war_machineWar Machine
Rated 14 Jun 2022
80
77th
Doubleraped/tiedup/bad-omglived/home-10+dadkillsthem:)butcopshottoo-kneeoff+infertile+Scharacterisjustusefullol+KKKburnMhousedown+KKKkidnapSlol+nowimaginesheswhite-innocent
Rated 14 Jun 2022
dunbardunbar
Rated 31 Oct 2014
70
44th
A typically "subtle" American film examining race relations in the deep south, capital punishment, the justice system and how to scrape together a watchable movie by hiring an all star cast.
Rated 31 Oct 2014
lonewolf2003Lonewolf2003
Rated 19 Apr 2022
30
1st
A movie I’m on two minds about. On one side it’s very watchable, the acting and directing are all on par. On the other side it’s central endorsement of vigilantism is questionable at best.
Rated 19 Apr 2022
mysticMystic
Rated 27 Jan 2022
5
88th
The dialogue in the finale, "Now imagine it was a..." sends chills down the spine even today.
Rated 27 Jan 2022
naurunauru
Rated 02 Apr 2016
66
68th
Somewhat derivative plot is overshadowed by an incredible cast. McConaughey and Jackson give some of the best performances of their careers, while Kevin Spacey and Chris Cooper are great as always.
Rated 02 Apr 2016
glm01glm01
Rated 01 Sep 2013
78
58th
77.500
Rated 01 Sep 2013
chow25chow25
Rated 14 Aug 2007
12
12th
A time to act, am i rite
Rated 14 Aug 2007
eric_janeric-jan
Rated 29 Jan 2009
75
74th
Great drama movie with a good cast and a good story.
Rated 29 Jan 2009
gtown1479gtown1479
Rated 26 May 2009
79
67th
A million times better than the first Grisham movie I saw (Rainmaker), but still nowhere near as good as the book. I think the biggest benefit this movie had was a cast of up and coming stars (Jackson and McConaughey excel). If you have read the book then you know to be ready for one of the more chilling movie beginnings (i fastfwd through it). I think the problem for me is that after you read a Grisham book it is really hard for the movie to stack up against it. Still I am happy I saw it.
Rated 26 May 2009
larsthorwaldLarsThorwald
Rated 26 Jun 2009
88
72nd
One of the movies that Matthew Mochanheyeyey was good in. Great story. (90's style)
Rated 26 Jun 2009
comepeliculacomepelicula
Rated 04 Dec 2017
50
37th
A classic John Grisham story which touches a variety of difficult and strong subjects (rape, racism, murder, revenge, social inequalities, etc) but aims to be a blockbuster, so it simplifies them which is problematic for me. The acting is ok and the story is mostly entertaining.
Rated 04 Dec 2017
kuroelKuroel
Rated 04 Jan 2022
63
62nd
The KKK side of the movie is redundant. The bad guys are akin to cartoon villains with no exploration to their character. Vengeance and hatred come from very deep issues but these are addressed sans in regards to the clansmen. The good guy side of the story is much more tangible and sympathetic. They acknowledge that not all “good guys” are that straightforwardly good either. We all have our biases and weaknesses. A shame that same theme didn’t extend to the villains.
Rated 04 Jan 2022
arossaross
Rated 03 May 2020
72
42nd
it is remarkable how many movies I was shown in high school in class. the teachers were impressively lazy
Rated 03 May 2020
schwabeschwabe
Rated 13 May 2015
90
83rd
a bit like a more modern version of to kill a mockingbird, at least it reminded me of this film somehow. great acting by all and great story.
Rated 13 May 2015
empiremagempiremag
Rated 23 Apr 2009
4
71st
"Intelligent, sexy, and reliably gripping until the jury delivers its tantalising verdict."
Rated 23 Apr 2009
jezclaytonJezclayton
Rated 03 Jun 2007
95
91st
No amazing effects, no stunning surround sound ....... Just a highly emotive story well delivered.
Rated 03 Jun 2007
wadalklaklawadalklakla
Rated 16 Aug 2012
70
70th
Great Movie , but something doesn't make sense ...how is he innocent??
Rated 16 Aug 2012
bunkenBunken
Rated 16 Apr 2011
80
88th
Yes its filled with cliché's and oozes of a classical Hollywood ending, but I love it and still think this is one of the best court room dramas ever made. A great cast and some great ethical questions overshadows the films obvious flaws and over the top personal vendetta moments. "And now imagine she's white..." Up yours rednecks! "Free Carl Lee!"
Rated 16 Apr 2011
mjbitesMJbites
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
52nd
Interesting plot.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
cagedwisdomcagedwisdom
Rated 05 Jan 2017
75
65th
The characters are caricatures but the performances are great. Poor Ashley Judd was way out of her depths though.
Rated 05 Jan 2017
myfavchordsmyfavchords
Rated 15 Dec 2011
76
56th
This is a good courtroom drama with an interesting ensemble cast. The story is good and there are only a few moments in the film that drag. Overall I would recommend this drama
Rated 15 Dec 2011
pompousasspompousass
Rated 21 May 2009
0
12th
This adaptation bundles up the author's fairy-tale articles of faith (the luck of the beginner, the ascension of the underdog, the might of right) and sets them down in a vast and volatile social arena (the racial divide, the persistence of the KKK, the most piggish assembly of white-trash bigots on screen since the heyday of Don Stroud and Anthony Zerbe), where the simple-mindedness and smugness of them go beyond minor irritations into major embarrassments.
Rated 21 May 2009
guy_piranhaguy piranha
Rated 08 Jun 2015
65
53rd
a bit heavy on the melodramatic side, but altogether a decent enough movie. i don't get the hate for the KKK, though. they never did anything to me.
Rated 08 Jun 2015
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 09 Aug 2019
66
70th
good movie
Rated 09 Aug 2019
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 20 Apr 2021
50
38th
It's a John Grisham so expect a lot of cheese, embarrasing cliches like a ringing time bomb, and little in the way of realism, but at least there's no dearth of drama. It does have some definite strengths, even the occasional bout of good dialogue, but mainly the cast. McConaughey is brilliant, you've got Jackson and Spacey, both Sutherlands are here (but they never meet on camera) and more. Bullock is the weakest link.
Rated 20 Apr 2021
medinavimedinavi
Rated 10 Mar 2020
66
33rd
Güzel ve daha da önemlisi cesur bir senaryo, iyi oyunculara ve müthiş bir 3.Act tiradına sahip olmasına rağmen maalesef Joel Schumacher in yetersiz ellerinde heba olmuş. Ayrica Sutherland'leri iki alakasiz karakter olarak cast etmek?
Rated 10 Mar 2020
jary4jary4
Rated 14 Aug 2007
95
76th
Great
Rated 14 Aug 2007
billyshearsBillyShears
Rated 28 Apr 2008
80
77th
To Kill a Mockingbird for MY GENERATION.
Rated 28 Apr 2008
dannys58dannys58
Rated 16 Mar 2021
82
87th
A little liberal and the white peckerwood slant was a extreme, but good acting helped. Also, Sandra looked great as usual!
Rated 16 Mar 2021
davisty69davisty69
Rated 17 Jan 2011
87
75th
Heartwrenching drama
Rated 17 Jan 2011
chmulcr0nchmul_cr0n
Rated 28 Sep 2014
72
64th
the ending's really cheesy, but the movie earned its way there, I guess.
Rated 28 Sep 2014
isobelmoonIsobelmoon
Rated 26 Dec 2008
78
76th
A rough story which makes you really think about real justice.
Rated 26 Dec 2008
jnsonejijnsoneji
Rated 23 Jun 2016
90
59th
A window to old USA - ridden with racism and struggles to reach to common ground by both ends.
Rated 23 Jun 2016
dustydDustyd
Rated 16 Sep 2007
75
79th
strong drama
Rated 16 Sep 2007
budleonardBudLeonard
Rated 28 Oct 2007
86
40th
Another film saved by the performances: "Yes, they deserved to die, and I hope they burn in hay-ell!"
Rated 28 Oct 2007
paulofilmopaulofilmo
Rated 07 Apr 2008
65
22nd
This really moved me as a child, but a rewatch shows it's not all that.
Rated 07 Apr 2008
jkathrensjkathrens
Rated 01 Sep 2010
68
40th
Decent adaptation of my favorite Grisham book.
Rated 01 Sep 2010

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