Juror #2 (2024)

This is a trustworthy good old fashioned studio film, the likes of which are no longer common in modern times. It’s a well thought out story that quickly puts both the protagonist and audience in a quandary that inexorably causes unrelenting tension and suspense that doesn’t let up until the final scene.

Nicholas Hoult stars as Justin Kemp, a recovered alcoholic whose wife (Zoey Deutch) is expecting a baby. To his and her chagrin he’s been selected for jury duty in a murder trial. As he hears the evidence against the accused killer, he gradually realizes that he may have been involved in the incident. As his culpability becomes apparent to him, how will this knowledge guide his actions in the jury deliberations, and also at home?

Toni Collette shines as a determined prosecutor who is looking for slam dunk win to help in her campaign for District Attorney, and Chris Messina delivers a nuanced and varied performance as the public defender who represents the accused. In addition we’re treated to a few famous veteran actors in surprisingly smaller roles: J.K. Simmons as a juror who raises doubt about the defendant’s guilt; Kiefer Sutherland plays Justin’s AA sponsor who is also a defense attorney; and a solid turn by Amy Aquino (Lt. Grace Billets in Bosch) as the trial judge.

Several characters are trapped in moral dilemmas. Justin is pulled into conflict with his wife, his 12-step principles, his sponsor, the attorneys, and his basic morality. The prosecuting attorney soon faces a circumstance which conflicts with her early determination, her zeal to become D.A., and her eventual truth seeking. Simmons’ juror wrestles with his sworn duty which is in contrast to his previous work as a police detective. And Justin’s wife struggles to protect her baby and husband from her fear that Justin may have been involved in the crime.

There are a few mentionable detractions. The lead could have been better cast than with Nicholas Hoult. His inherent diffident personality did not really fit the story. In a way Hoult put me in mind of director Eastwood’s real life personality. Perhaps Hoult was signed because he is a very popular actor with the younger set.

The story itself is appealing and somewhat fresh, whose essence is very reminiscent of an Alfred Hitchcock suspense tale. But some of the dialogue, especially in the jury deliberations scenes, was almost trite. For example Cedric Yarbrough’s performance as the angry black male juror was burdened with rather hackneyed lines, which, despite his best efforts, sounded inauthentic. Gabriel Basso as the accused suffered with poor dialogue, so one could never really feel his anguish. It’s surprising that Jonathan Abrams was tasked with the screenplay, given his lack of previous credits. Surely Eastwood could have lassoed a heftier writer. And, presumably as an “in” joke, Eastwood’s daughter Francesca was cast as the murder victim, and she did a fine job.

Warner Bros. reportedly had intended the picture originally as a streaming release, but after the positive stir, they released it in a very limited fashion to theaters. I think it would have done well as a major general release. Keep in mind that Clint Eastwood has made billions of dollars for Warners over the years. Much has been made of this as supposedly being Eastwood’s final directed film. Hopefully he’ll change his mind. There have been few directors left who can spin a tale as can Eastwood. Most of his pictures feel very authentic and true to life. Maybe he has another one left in him.

Doc’s rating: 7/10