Does there need to be truth to have justice? Can an action or decision be “just” even if it lacks or is bereft of truth? These are just a couple of questions that the movie, “Juror #2”, wrestles with over the course of almost two hours.

The basic plot revolves around a young professional and soon-to-be-father who is called to jury duty.  Very early in the trial, he realizes that he is inextricably linked to the case in a critical way.  Will he come forward?  This internal struggle sets the stage as the film continues to unfold as the trial progresses.

This is another gem from Clint Eastwood who directs this suspense/thriller that keeps movie-goers on the edge of their seats.  I had a knot in my stomach that didn’t let up until the final credits rolled.  Just to add to the relatability of the film, people who have ever served on a jury will relive those painful moments from first receiving the jury notice up until the final verdict is read.  It certainly helps that the dialogue is so well-crafted that it should get recognized during awards season for its incredibly believable screenplay.

The actors portray characters that seem to be largely driven by their own self interests as opposed to seeking justice at whatever the cost.  As such, some characters are not that likeable, but we can relate to them.  For example, reminiscent of “Twelve Angry Men”, there are jurors who simply want to go home as well as those who use their creativity to concoct alternate hypotheses (some quite good!).

In sum, this film is a “great watch”, particularly if you enjoy courtroom dramas.  I will stop here as I am committed to keep this review “spoiler-free”, in large part, such that you can enjoy the plot twists and turns as I did.  It is well worth two hours of your life – just be prepared to be in a continual state of suspense.

Grade: A

About The Peetimes: In large part, because this is a suspense/thriller, it was a challenge to identify optimal Peetimes for this movie. Nevertheless, two are suggested which work equally well.

There are no extra scenes during, or after, the end credits of Juror #2.

Rated:	(PG-13) NA
Genres:	Thriller
USA release date:	2024-10-30
Movie length:	113 minutes
Starring:	Zoey Deutch, Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette
Director:	Clint Eastwood
Writer(s):	Jonathan A. Abrams
Language:	English
Country:	United States

Plot
Family man Justin Kemp 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 wrong killer.