Juror #2 (2024)

4 Stars (out of 4)

Trial and Tribulations

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

An uncommonly brilliant movie, impeccably made by an old master, Clint Eastwood's courtroom drama Juror #2 is intricately designed, richly performed by actors across the board, and with nuanced, thought-provoking themes.

Recovering alcoholic Justin Kemp (Nicholas Hoult) and his wife Allison Crewson (Zoey Deutch) are nearly through a high-risk pregnancy, and the baby is due soon. Justin gets called for jury duty, and despite telling the judge about his situation, he is chosen. The case is about a murder. After fighting at a bar, a woman walked home down a dark road during a rainstorm, and her boyfriend is accused of following her and murdering her.

It's a highly publicized case, and if prosecutor Faith Killebrew (Toni Collette) can win, she will surely gain enough momentum to be elected as Georgia's District Attorney. As Justin listens to the case, he realizes to his horror that it was he who must have hit the woman in the dark and in the rain that night, at the time thinking it was a deer. When the jury reaches the deliberation room, most jurors immediately want to vote Guilty, but Justin cannot. Yet he also can't tell his fellow jurors the reason why.

Based on an original screenplay by Jonathan A. Abrams, Juror #2 recalls many classic courtroom films, but especially 12 Angry Men, expanding upon that idea and adding surprising gray areas.

Director Clint Eastwood, who is 94 at the time of release, seems to still have the skills to tell a great story, coming as he does from the classical old school of filmmaking, inspired by John Ford and other artists of "invisible style." He builds suspense without rushing, and indeed, by spending time on things that don't seem to matter, such as Justin and Allison at home. These moments contribute nothing to the issues at hand, but that underline what's really at stake for Justin. (Their performances are so disarmingly naturalistic, it's as if a camera were spying on them in their private moments.)

There are no heroes or villains, and even the opposing lawyers — superbly played by Collette and Chris Messina — have a professional relationship. And J.K. Simmons brings some extra crackle to the jury room scenes, playing a crusty, streetwise retired detective.

The court case itself may not be the most airtight — many real life cases aren't either — although that's not exactly the point. The point is that there are sometimes complex issues of right and wrong, and fuzzy areas in-between, that can confound the justice system. (Eastwood shows us several images of "Lady Justice" with her blindfold on.) It's telling, also, that Justin's name sounds a bit like "Justice" and Faith's name is… well… obvious. Neither are clearly defined here.

The messy events of Juror #2 lead to an ending that's equally messy, deeply thoughtful, and unforgettably stunning.