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The Pledge

Play trailer Poster for The Pledge R,  2001,  2h 4m,  Crime/ Drama/ Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 77% 121 Reviews Tomatometer 59% 10,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
77% Tomatometer 121 Reviews 59% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
On the day of his retirement, detective Jerry Black (Jack Nicholson) accepts a gift -- an airline ticket to Mexico. But when the body of a murdered eight-year-old girl is discovered in the mountains, Jerry offers his expertise at the crime scene. When an ambitious younger cop wrenches a dubious confession from a simple-minded suspect, the case is closed... but not for Jerry.
The Pledge

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Though its subject matter is grim and may make viewers queasy, The Pledge features an excellent, subtle performance by Jack Nicholson.

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Critics Reviews

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Jeff Strickler Minneapolis Star Tribune Nov 6, 2002
3.5/4
Mystery-thriller buffs, promise yourselves that you'll see The Pledge. And while you're at it, be sure to invite along Jack Nicholson fans and anyone who saw the first two movies that Sean Penn directed. Go to Full Review
Peter Rainer New York Magazine/Vulture Sep 26, 2002
Penn can't be faulted for his work with the actors. Most of the featured players have only a scene or two, but they're indelible. Go to Full Review
Rick Groen Globe and Mail Mar 22, 2002
2.5/4
Ultimately, the payoffs just aren't there, either psychologically or dramatically. Go to Full Review
Joanne Laurier World Socialist Web Site Mar 5, 2021
Penn has accommodated himself to the political and artistic status quo in an unfortunate manner. Go to Full Review
PJ Nabarro Patrick Nabarro Dec 2, 2018
4/5
Penn intrinsically understands that there can be no epiphanies nor catharsis, as important portents and clues go unanswered as Black drifts into the mire of his obsession. Go to Full Review
Blake Howard Graffiti With Punctuation Apr 9, 2017
4/5
It's "one last ride" for our leading character Jerry Black (Nicholson), until he abandons the case and retires. It examines a man trying to relinquish his deduction instincts in exchange for a slippery grip on a 'normal' life. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Harry L Mar 1, 2019 Unique ending, good movie!
Kylo S Feb 12, 2019 I saw this film in the theater 18 years ago and, to this day, I regret that I didn't walk out. My rating is actually based on the cinematic trailer because the film itself is not worth rating. Okay... TBH, if the purpose of a piece of "art" is to "unsettle" you to the point of remembering it as a waste of time, money, arterial damage sustained by gelatinous "popcorn," gas and mileage on your '86 Camry (LE) to see it, and rendering it's audience to a state that you could neither sleep nor be distracted by an unrelenting cinematographic invitation to pass out, then I MIGHT award this file 5 stars. Unfortunately, several other environmental factors came into play that were much more enticing than this film. I will not express what those factors are exactly, but I caution you to not judge this film if you are a heterosexual male between the ages of 228 months and 19 years, accompanied by a similarly-aged virgin female whom you are romantically interested in, while under the influence of a legitimate prescription for a medication called "HYCOTUSS" - a (probably now illegal) substance that contains both an expectorant and an opioid. Oddly enough, these STIMULATING FACTORS no doubt artificially led to my ability to endure the film throughout its entirety and pay enough attention to conclude that it's the movie equivalent of "blue balls." That is my review of this 124-minute bout of regrettable insomnia, and if you wish to give it a chance, prepare yourself for complete disappointment. See more
Jan 3, 2019 Jack Nicholson how can you go wrong. Very good and interesting movie. Amazed that I had never saw it before now.
Albus R Oct 22, 2018 Great movie. Seen it heaps. U see the child killer at the start when jack goes into the Christmas deco shop with the strange woman. In the background. See more
Theodore S Sep 24, 2018 An exceptional character study that grows incredibly suffocating as it leads us to ponder the real motivations behind its protagonist's actions, relying on one of the best performances in Jack Nicholson's career and culminating in a haunting, bitter and fittingly ironic conclusion. See more
Kylo W Sep 21, 2018 This movie was too long and a waste. The ending was so bad my cats left the room. Are you serious with this cast.
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The Pledge

My Rating

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Movie Info

Synopsis On the day of his retirement, detective Jerry Black (Jack Nicholson) accepts a gift -- an airline ticket to Mexico. But when the body of a murdered eight-year-old girl is discovered in the mountains, Jerry offers his expertise at the crime scene. When an ambitious younger cop wrenches a dubious confession from a simple-minded suspect, the case is closed... but not for Jerry.
Director
Sean Penn
Producer
Sean Penn, Elie Samaha, Michael Fitzgerald
Screenwriter
Friedrich Dürrenmatt, Jerzy Kromolowski, Mary Olson-Kromolowski
Distributor
Warner Bros., E Stars Films
Production Co
Morgan Creek Productions, Warner Bros., Pledge Productions Inc., Franchise Pictures, Clyde Is Hungry Productions
Rating
R (Sexuality|Language|Some Violence)
Genre
Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 19, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 2, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA)
$19.7M
Runtime
2h 4m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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