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A Time to Kill

A Time to Kill is a 1996 American legal drama film directed by Joel Schumacher, based on John Grisham’s 1989 novel of the same name.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

A Time to Kill is a 1996 American legal drama film directed by Joel Schumacher, based on John Grisham’s 1989 novel of the same name. Set in Mississippi, it follows a young lawyer who defends a Black father on trial for killing the men who raped his daughter. The film starred Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson, and Kevin Spacey, and was a commercial success.

Plot

The film follows lawyer Jake Brigance as he defends Carl Lee Hailey, a Black father who kills two men after they rape his young daughter. The case draws intense local hostility, including threats from the Ku Klux Klan.

Production

A Time to Kill was adapted from John Grisham’s novel and directed by Joel Schumacher. It was the second Grisham novel adaptation Schumacher directed, after The Client.

Cast

The principal cast includes Matthew McConaughey as Jake Brigance, Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson as Carl Lee Hailey, and Kevin Spacey as the prosecutor, with supporting roles for Donald Sutherland and Kiefer Sutherland.

Release and reception

Warner Bros. released the film on July 24, 1996. It received mixed reviews but performed strongly at the box office, earning about $152 million worldwide.

Key facts

  • The film is a legal drama adapted from John Grisham’s 1989 novel.
  • It was directed by Joel Schumacher and released by Warner Bros.
  • The story centers on Jake Brigance defending Carl Lee Hailey in a racially charged Mississippi murder trial.
  • The cast includes Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin Spacey, Donald Sutherland, and Kiefer Sutherland.
  • The film received mixed reviews but was a commercial success.
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Canadian context

The film was distributed internationally and is part of the widely studied body of American courtroom dramas that have circulated strongly in Canadian theatres, home video, and streaming catalogs.

Frequently asked questions

What is A Time to Kill about?
It is about a Mississippi lawyer defending a Black father who killed the men responsible for raping his daughter.
Who directed A Time to Kill?
Joel Schumacher directed the film.
What is A Time to Kill based on?
It is based on John Grisham’s 1989 novel of the same name.
When was A Time to Kill released?
It was released on July 24, 1996.
Who stars in A Time to Kill?
The film stars Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson, and Kevin Spacey.
Was A Time to Kill a box-office success?
Yes. It was a commercial success and grossed about $152 million worldwide.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Time_to_Kill_(1996_film)
    Supports: Release date, director, source novel, cast, runtime, box office, commercial performance, Octavia Spencer film debut
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117913/
    Supports: Basic plot synopsis and setting
  3. Museum of Modern Art — https://www.moma.org/calendar/events/9981
    Supports: Director, cast, runtime, plot summary, setting
  4. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/1049750
    Supports: Short synopsis and principal cast
  5. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/a-time-to-kill-1996
    Supports: Plot context and thematic description
  6. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1072381-time_to_kill
    Supports: Director, rating, genre, release information, box office