SummaryA murder trial brings a small Mississippi town's racial tensions to the flashpoint. Amid a frenzy of activist marches, Klan terror, media clamor and brutal riots, an unseasoned but idealistic young attorney mounts a stirring courtroom battle for justice. (Warner Bros.)
Directed By:Joel Schumacher
Written By:John Grisham, Akiva Goldsman
A Time to Kill
Metascore
Mixed or Average
53
User score
Generally Favorable
7.2
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Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
53
38% Positive
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
43% Mixed
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
19% Negative
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
90
As originated by Grisham and adapted by Akiva Goldsman, this is a story of elemental emotional and legal issues splashed across a large canvas, and director Joel Schumacher has done a solid job of keeping the many components in focus and balance.
80
Schumacher is never quite smart enough to keep the debate neutral, and the unrestrained hero worship at the close leaves a nasty taste.
User score
Generally Favorable
7.2
73% Positive
88 Ratings
88 Ratings
21% Mixed
26 Ratings
26 Ratings
6% Negative
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
Jul 16, 2018
10
A Time To Kill: Time For Humanity (Review) Cinematography: 10/10 Might some consider this vintage? The slight grittiness of the visuals always makes films seem more cinematic to me. Plus - the flow of the film is amazing and really encapsulates the story in a poetically revealing cinematic sense. The film gets better and better with every scene! Costume Design: 9.797/10 Ever watch a film that doesn't distract you by the attire but makes you feel more engrossed in the film by the attire? Film Editing: 10/10 Solid. Make-up and Hair-styling: 9.797/10 Not distracting and seems to be very telling of the cultural styles in the particular climates. Sound Editing: 9.892/10 A strong element is using the natural flow of sound in a space. I find myself intently listening: the natural amplifications and inflections flowing really makes the vocals stand out. Visual Effects: 10/10 Solid. Story: 10/10 Talk about covering bases. A Time To Kill leaves no stones unturned and adequately implements to create a very very well completed story. Acting: 10/10 Phenomenal. Do you understand the importance of having acting partners capable of handling a lot of dialogue and motion effectively in a film of this caliber? Personal: So, I watch A Time To Kill after someone reprimands me (not aggressively, just in extreme shock) for not watching the film and then recommends me watch the film. We were trying to figure out other movies Matthew **** is in because I was talking about seeing White Boy Rick. I've come to realize he is in a few films I enjoy: beyond this point, I find A Time To Kill to be a very voluminous film which shows the importance of justice, law, and human existence in proper effect. I contemplate all of the contributing factors that force humans to recognize the importance of humanity. People are constantly learning actively and subconsciously. There is so much contributing to one's developments and growths: ultimately, the sole responsibility of one's developments rests on an individual's being as well as the way one defines their self in the midst of their circumstances. Yet - the assistance one receives in their life may be of greatly considerable factors towards their development. Overall: 9.935/10 -K.D. If you're into Poetry and other bits of creativity, check out my Instagram: @Dufreshest.
Oct 31, 2018
9
I love John Grisham stories when they are adapted to film. A Time to Kill is really awesome. It has a great cast and man on man that final jury speech is intense.
67
To its credit, A Time to Kill allows the debate to snake through the entire movie, engagingly pitting characters and speeches against each other, creating a dramatic forum for ethical debate uncommon in most commercial American films.
50
Director Joel Schumacher has pulled no mawkish punches, wringing every drop of emotional potential from the script (adapted by screenwriter Akiva Goldsman from John Grisham's popular novel) down to the last manipulative glance and close-up. Call it A Time to Overkill.
50
But the drama's attack on racism would be more persuasive if it rejected vigilante justice and recognized that hatred and violence of all kinds must be condemned if evils like bigotry are ever to be eradicated.
37
A Time to Kill seems to argue that America's racial problems aren't so bad because, even in the heart of bigoted Mississippi, a black man can get away with murder.
10
Like many artists today, Grisham and Schumacher exploit racial tension without understanding it.
Jun 7, 2015
9
It's always interesting to read reviews of older movies. You can see how often reviewers totally don't get how influential a film will become. You quite often read sterling reviews for films that have totally been forgotten. And then find reviews for a film like this one (judged mediocre by critics when it came out) that still speaks to people. A film that can be seen over and over on TV and still maintain its force and passion. Sadly, the issues addressed in A Time to Kill are ever more present with us. The speech "imagine she is white" is so timely today. Amazing to see such a collection of future Oscar winners and nominees in this: McConaughey, Bullock, Spacey, Fricker, Judd. And how is it possible neither McConaughey nor Samuel L. Jackson were nominated for their superb performances?
Apr 29, 2026
6
A strong cast ensures A Time to Kill remains watchable but it’s hard to get past the flawed premise that vigilante justice is ever acceptable.
Jul 3, 2025
6
a Reliably solid legal thriller that has way too big a middle and repetitive themes and scenes to make it all the way there.
Jan 27, 2017
3
Si on met de côté le contexte racial, il s'agit d'une question intéressante qui mérite d'être soulevée et débattue, un sujet qui revient souvent en Amérique, la patrie des héros qui se font justice eux-mêmes avec leur fusil qu'ils ont acheté eux-mêmes. Un pays libre en somme. A cette question "le droit de tuer ?" Joel Schumacher y apporte une réponse nette et sans détour dans une "happy end" qui ne cesse de se gargariser jusqu'au générique. Aucune finesse, aucune remise en question, pourquoi ce point d'interrogation alors ? en anglais ce "time to kill" est beaucoup moins ambigu. Quant à l'aspect racial, il est bien entendu clairement mis en avant, une victimisation assez pénible tout au long du film, rabâchée à qui mieux-mieux, qui sert de prétexte et légitime l'assassinat justicier. Pour le reste, c'est plein de stars (des bonnes et des mauvaises), une mise en scène sans reproche mais beaucoup de lenteurs qui nuisent grandement au rythme. Le film s'enferre à n'en plus finir dans la procédure, un sentimentalisme hypocrite et partisan de mauvais aloi.
Production Company:
- New Regency Productions
- Warner Bros.
Release Date:Jul 24, 1996
Duration:2 h 29 m
Rating:R
Tagline:A lawyer and his assistant fighting to save a father on trial for murder. A time to question what they believe. A time to doubt what they trust. And no time for mistakes.
Awards
Golden Globes, USA
• 1 Nomination
Image Awards (NAACP)
• 2 Wins & 5 Nominations
MTV Movie + TV Awards
• 1 Win & 3 Nominations
