Despite Warner Bros. attempting to inexplicably bury the latest Clint Eastwood film, Juror #2 is now Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with 93% from over 50 reviews by critics. The thriller starring Nicholas Hoult and Zoey Deutch is being praised for its fantastic direction and impressive performances, proving Eastwood still has it after all of these decades. Although it may be Eastwood’s final film, it is reportedly not getting a wide theatrical release and is instead only playing in around 50 theaters at the moment. Even the early reviews by those lucky enough to see it early gave it a perfect score on RT before more critics were able to view it this weekend.
The original story is as follows…
Juror #2 may be Clint Eastwood’s last film, but if early reviews are to be trusted, the acclaimed filmmaker is going out with a bang. The film follows Justin Kemp (Nicholas Hoult), a man summoned to jury duty in a high-profile murder case that he may be directly involved in. The sweat-inducing thriller is being mysteriously buried by Warner Bros., but that hasn’t stopped the film from getting a very high Rotten Tomatoes score.
On Rotten Tomatoes, Juror #2 boasts a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, among the best in Eastwood’s legendary career. Critics have praised Hoult’s performance, with the Arizona Republic raving about the actor and stating that he “gives a convincing performance as a man tortured by his conscience and his hopes for the future (new baby and all).” Indie Wire was especially positive about the movie, saying “Not only does the film rise to the occasion, it soars past it.” Another critic from Punch Drunk Critics was slightly less enthusiastic about it, but they called it “a solidly entertaining thriller that won’t necessarily hurt Eastwood’s storied career.” The audience Popcornmeter is not out yet, but judging by the critics’ reactions, general viewers should be able to easily latch onto Eastwood’s new thriller.
With only ten reviews officially out and counted towards the Rotten Tomatoes score, it surely seems like WB is intent on limiting those who can see and review Juror #2 before its limited release. However, that hasn’t stopped critics from raving about the Eastwood film. Meanwhile, Screen International teases that the veteran director is still able to subvert expectations, building up to a shocking conclusion Eastwood masterfully lands on.
“The film builds to a conclusion that is unexpected but surprisingly effective in its understatement, suggesting that this veteran director can still find new ways to explore what everyday courage looks like.”
Warner Bros. isn’t Giving Juror #2 a Wide Release
Despite the overwhelmingly positive reactions from critics, Juror #2 is not getting a wide theatrical release. Moreover, the film is not being set up for the awards season, as Warner Bros. is electing to focus on getting the much-maligned Joker: Folie à Deux a chance at the Academy Awards (a bold choice at this point). Those wanting to see the film will have to check if their nearest cinema will be playing it, as Juror #2 will only be screened in 50 or so theaters this weekend. There is a possibility that WB will expand the theatrical window at some point, but it seems the film, which was originally conceived as a Max project, will be arriving at streaming sooner rather than later.
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As of right now, it is widely expected that Clint Eastwood will be done with filmmaking after Juror #2 releases in select theaters. This is worrying for a number of reasons, especially since it seems WB is keen on killing any and every relationship it has with premiere directors. However, some rumors do suggest Eastwood may find himself behind the camera for another project, as unexpected as it may be. No matter the case, it seems a final judgment has been passed on Juror #2, and it seems to be a worthy final project for the director. The official plot synopsis is as follows:
“Juror #2 follows family man Justin Kemp (Hoult) who, while serving as a juror in a high profile murder trial, finds himself struggling with a serious moral dilemma…one he could use to sway the jury verdict and potentially convict—or free—the accused killer.”
Justin Kemp, a juror in a prominent murder trial, encounters a moral conflict as he realizes his influence over the jury’s decision. Struggling with the potential consequences, he faces the ethical challenge of possibly swaying the verdict to either convict or free the wrong individual, complicating his role significantly.
- Release Date
- October 30, 2024
- Runtime
- 114 Minutes