Skip to main content

About the Film

Year

1995

Rating

R

Genre

Drama

Running Time

122 MIN

Synopsis

Inspired by the true story of a nun’s relationship with a condemned man, this provocative examination of crime, punishment and redemption earned Susan Sarandon the 1995 Oscar® for Best Actress and Sean Penn an Oscar® nomination for Best Actor. Dead Man Walking is a “fast-moving and absorbing” film filled with “genuine suspense” (Variety) that will leave you awe-struck from beginning to end. Sister Helen Prejean (Sarandon), a compassionate New Orleans nun, is the spiritual advisor to Matthew Poncelet (Penn), a vicious, angry and complex murderer awaiting execution. Her dedication is to help others, like Matthew, find salvation. But as she attempts to navigate Matthew’s dark soul, she encounters a depth of evil that makes her question how far redemption can really go. Can she stave off the fateful day of execution long enough to save Matthew, or will she discover a truth that will rock the very foundation by which she lives her life?

Follow on Social Media

Where to Watch

Digital

About the Cast

Susan Sarandon

Sister Helen Prejean

Sean Penn

Matthew Poncelet

Robert Prosky

Hilton Barber

Raymond J. Barry

Earl Delacroix

R. Lee Ermey

Clyde Perry

Celia Weston

Mary Beth Percy

About the Crew

Director

Tim Robbins

Producer

Tim Baven

Producer

Eric Fellner

Producer

Tim Robbins

Producer

Rudd Simmons

Producer

Jon Kilik

Writer

Tim Robbins

Music Scoring

David Robbins

Music Scoring

Bruce Springsteen

Music Scoring

Tom Waits