A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
-
Positive Messages
a lot
Promotes the idea that people of different ethnicities can interact peacefully, even in the South. Some of the film’s characters show that practicing integrity and judging someone by their character, rather than skin color, can have a lasting effect on humanity. Highlights the notion that everyone deserves social justice, no matter their social class, history, or ethnic identity.
-
Positive Role Models
some
Jake, a white man who's supposed to be "one of the bad guys," helps a disenfranchised black man receive a fair trial in the South. Their relationship is aspirational and shows that human instinct, compassion, and empathy can overcome racial prejudice. Liberal lawyers and a former civil rights activist show that it's possible to defend someone fairly without letting racism block their judgment. A man whose leg has to get amputated as the result of a stray bullet forgives; a man who lost his home and almost lost his wife doesn't give up on what he believes to be right. Many characters within the film personify integrity, perseverance, and bravery in the face of challenging times.
-
Violence & Scariness
a lot
The opening segment shows a rape scene from the eyes of the 10-year-old victim. Two men tie her up, one gets undressed, and they thrust on top of her. Fist fights and brawls. Scenes show a cross burning and someone torching a home. Gun violence, murders, bloodshed, and race-induced tension and violence.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.
Get started
-
Sex, Romance & Nudity
very little
Sexual innuendo.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.
Get started
-
Language
a lot
Language includes many uses of the "N" word and a few uses of "s--t," plus "damn," "crap," "ass," "piss," and "God" (as an exclamation).
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.
Get started
-
Drinking, Drugs & Smoking
some
Many adults smoke and drink at bars. Two characters are alcoholics who drink throughout the film. Characters drink and drive.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.
Get started
-
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that A Time to Kill is a drama set in Mississippi about a white lawyer (Matthew McConaughey) who defends a black man (Samuel L. Jackson) accused of killing the two white men who raped his 10-year-old daughter. The chain of events following the death of these men creates an atmosphere of tension within the small Southern town, and revenge is sought by the Ku Klux Klan. Expect to see racial violence (including a cross burning) and the use of guns/weapons; characters are killed, and the rape scene is very upsetting. Characters swear ("s--t" and more) and use racially charged slurs (the "N" word); they also drink and smoke. The movie is based on the popular novel by John Grisham and has themes of integrity and perseverance. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
What's the Story?
A TIME TO KILL takes a candid look at America's judicial system while giving viewers a glimpse of the psychological and physical trauma and consequences that come along with racial injustice, systemic racism, and oppression. In a small Mississippi town, bold young lawyer Jake Brigance (Matthew McConaughey) and his assistant, Ellen Roark (Sandra Bullock), defend Carl Lee Hailey (Samuel L. Jackson), a poor black man accused of killing the two white men who raped his young daughter. This incites fury, and the Ku Klux Klan seeks revenge. The movie is based on the best-selling novel by John Grisham.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the subject matter of A Time to Kill. Has the social climate in America changed since this film came out in 1996? Has racial tension in America lessened or increased? Why do you say that?
Do you think that black men in America have the right to a fair trial? Why or why not?
Did you notice any stereotyping in this movie? What about in other movies that deal with race? What's the danger of stereotypes?
How do the characters and story show the value of perseverance and integrity? Why are those important character strengths?
Why do you think that Jake told the jury, in reference to 10-year-old Tonya, during his final closing statement to "imagine she is white"?
Movie Details
- In theaters: July 24, 1996
- On DVD or streaming: April 30, 1998
- Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson
- Director: Joel Shumacher
- Inclusion Information: Female actors, Black actors
- Studio: Warner Bros.
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Book Characters
- Character Strengths: Integrity, Perseverance
- Run time: 149 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: violence and some graphic language
- Last updated: February 23, 2024
Inclusion information powered by 
