Conviction

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Conviction

R

2010

1h 46m

Biography

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

67%

Tomatometer

189 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

When her older brother Kenny (Sam Rockwell) is convicted of murder and sentenced to life in 1983, Betty Anne Waters (Hilary Swank) vows to get the conviction overturned. Beginning an 18-year quest to exonerate Kenny, Betty Anne puts herself through college and law school. With the help of her best friend (Minnie Driver), Betty Anne pores over piles of suspicious evidence and retraces the steps that led to Kenny's arrest in the hope of finally winning her brother's freedom.

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Critics Consensus

Less compelling -- and more manipulative -- than it should be, Conviction benefits from its compelling true story and a pair of solid performances from Swank and Rockwell.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

Aug 30, 2018

At best, you probably won't mind sitting through it too much, but that's about it. It's a plodder. Plod, plod, plod, plod.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Sep 9, 2017

B+

For the big screen, it didn't hold up as strong but did manage to hash out a good story led by strong performances regardless.

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David Stratton

At the Movies (Australia)

Feb 24, 2011

3/5

Hilary Swank and Sam Rockwell, the latter portraying Kenny as an uncontrollable force of nature, and also Melissa Leo, who is quietly powerful as the arresting officer, are all excellent.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Aug 3, 2023

2/4

There’s nothing offensively wrong with the production, except that it’s so predictable.

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Jul 18, 2022

A thriller based on actions not words. [Full review in Spanish]

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Joanne Laurier

World Socialist Web Site

Mar 1, 2021

The film's depiction of Betty Anne's passionate crusade to exonerate Kenny is well done, generating a gripping, but balanced, momentum.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jul 12, 2026

The worldwide gross is $11,104,555.00.

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thiago s

@Thiagostone May 29, 2025

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom.

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Madam D

@Madam1948 Mar 2, 2025

Moving drama based on the real life story of a jailed brother & the sister who helped him get free. Good acting by Swank & Rockwell.

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Jeff K

@RT32193477 Jun 30, 2024

Great acting, predictable story. It's solidly ok and I would say worth watching.

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Timothy T

@Horrorfan4life May 29, 2024

What a great movie about the relationship between a brother and sister. So much so she gives up her life and goes the extra mile to prove her brothers innocence. Great performances by Swank and Rockwell.

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AL A

@David391 Apr 18, 2024

Lifetime movie network proudly presents.......

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Tony Goldwyn

Director

Hilary Swank

Betty Anne Waters

Sam Rockwell

Kenny Waters

Minnie Driver

Abra Rice

Melissa Leo

Nancy Taylor

Peter Gallagher

Barry Scheck

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Synopsis

When her older brother Kenny (Sam Rockwell) is convicted of murder and sentenced to life in 1983, Betty Anne Waters (Hilary Swank) vows to get the conviction overturned. Beginning an 18-year quest to exonerate Kenny, Betty Anne puts herself through college and law school. With the help of her best friend (Minnie Driver), Betty Anne pores over piles of suspicious evidence and retraces the steps that led to Kenny's arrest in the hope of finally winning her brother's freedom.

Director: Tony Goldwyn
Producer: Andrew Sugerman, Andrew S. Karsch, Tony Goldwyn
Screenwriter: Pamela Gray
Distributor: Fox Searchlight
Production Co: Longfellow Pictures, Andrew Sugerman
Rating: R (Some Violent Images|Language)
Genre: Biography, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 29, 2010, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $6.8M
Runtime: 1h 46m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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