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Clemency

2010Movie19 minEnglish

A sadistic killer takes a reporter on an emotional thrill ride she will never forget.

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IMDb6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes77%
Metacritic78/100
Google Users75%
Director: Chinonye ChukwuGenres: Drama

Plot Summary

A prison warden, Bernadine Williams, has spent years overseeing executions on death row. The emotional and psychological toll of her job weighs heavily on her as she prepares for another inmate's final moments. As she navigates the complex and morally ambiguous world of capital punishment, she grapples with her own humanity and the lingering questions about justice.

Critical Reception

Clemency received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for Alfre Woodard's powerful performance and Chinonye Chukwu's sensitive direction. The film was lauded for its unflinching look at the death penalty and its impact on those who administer it, though some found its pacing deliberate.

What Reviewers Say

  • Alfre Woodard delivers a career-defining performance as a warden haunted by her work.
  • The film offers a stark and empathetic examination of the death penalty's human cost.
  • Director Chinonye Chukwu handles a difficult subject matter with nuance and restraint.

Google audience: Audience reviews highlight Alfre Woodard's incredible performance and the film's profound emotional impact. Many appreciated its thoughtful exploration of a controversial topic and its sensitive portrayal of the characters involved.

Awards & Accolades

Won the Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.

Fun Fact

Director Chinonye Chukwu was inspired to write the film after witnessing the execution of Troy Davis in 2011.

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