Juror #2 deserved better.
Released in theaters a few weeks ago, Warner Bros. originally planned to have this film drop directly to Max, forgoing theaters altogether. Luckily for some, this film got a limited theatrical release (mostly in major cities). Many have criticized this movie, like Bilge Ebiri from Vulture who called the choice “particularly silly.” Having seen the film for myself, it’s certainly a baffling move.
Juror #2 follows Justin Kemp, a family man supporting his wife who is nearing the end of a high-risk pregnancy. Unfortunately for him, he has been called into jury duty, and the judge doesn’t see his wife’s health as a reason to dismiss him from the case. He is named Juror #2 for a murder trial where James Michael Sythe is accused of killing his girlfriend in cold blood. Kemp’s attitude shifts, as he remembers hitting something on the road that same night a year ago. Now questioning his recollection of events, he moves forward as a member of the jury, knowing he may very well be the killer.
Clint Eastwood is at his best when he leans into moral ambiguity and this film is full of it. Characters who start off as villains become complicated, and everyone seems to have a really good reason for their choices. This film also tackles the complexity of the American justice system in a way that reveals its obvious flaws while humanizing its participants. By the end of the film, there are no heroes, but there is reason to hope.
Nicholas Hoult has really been having a moment, and Juror #2 is no exception. While playing a real victim of circumstance, he isn’t a perfect one. He toes the line in several sympathetic moments, while in others he feels manipulative and even a bit sinister. The way he plays off others in the jury is the glue that keeps the film engaging, particularly his conversations with acting heavy-weight J.K. Simmons who plays a retired detective. Toni Collette absolutely kills it in this movie. As the film’s arguable villain at points, she is so sympathetic that I couldn’t bring myself to hate her. She’s more of the film’s heart than any other member of the cast, and ends up demonstrating how people can grow and change in ways that surprise us.
What most surprised me about Juror #2 is the way it details the justice system in the way it actually works. It has no interest in pointing the blame at bad actors or criminals and instead lays out a system that has real consequences for those at its mercy. The movie doesn’t take place in a fantasy land where each lawyer gets their Perry Mason moment and everyone claps in the courtroom, it’s quietly grounded. Ultimately, you end up feeling sick at how our culture considers jury duty: just an inconvenience to rush through, not something that could determine someone’s livelihood or future.
This movie is brilliant, but it also has something real to say. The story and performances give light to a story that, though somewhat sensational, is not so divorced from reality. Scenes from this film will sit with me, and I’m grateful Eastwood’s swan song was such a masterpiece, even if it didn’t get a major release.