Monster's Ball

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Monster's Ball

R

2001

1h 47m

Drama

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

137 Reviews

67%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Hank, an embittered racist prison guard working on death row, begins an unlikely, emotionally charged sexual relationship with Leticia, a Black woman and wife of a man sentenced to death. The affair begins just after Hank oversees the capital punishment of Leticia's husband.

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Critics Consensus

Somber and thought provoking, Monster's Ball has great performances all around.

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Karl Quinn

The Age (Australia)

Nov 12, 2018

3/5

Leticia and Hank come together in their grief, and when they do - when, in particular, they seek some kind of punishment and absolution in sex - it makes for one of the most intense, moving and real moments you're ever likely to witness on film.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Dec 26, 2010

3/5

This brutal movie is for adults only.

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Caroline Westbrook

Empire Magazine

Mar 2, 2003

4/5

Forster's poised direction, as well as powerful turns from Billy Bob Thornton and the Oscar-winning Halle Berry, make this compelling viewing.

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Mark Halverson

Sacramento News & Review

Aug 7, 2008

3/5

Joe Lozito

Big Picture Big Sound

Jul 14, 2007

4/4

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Dec 25, 2006

B

Though marred by script that telegraphs its messages, this drama still manages to tell a compelling love story betweenn a redneck guard and a black widow, well played by Billy Bob Thronton and particularly Halle Berre, who should get Oscar nomination

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PR B

@HeTeKa Mar 9, 2026

It's a movie offering outstanding acting and a really interesting, real world Maga infested world kinda theme. The script is patchy, but the acting covers it all. Halle Berry just brilliant. One of the few, socially relevant flicks - do yourself a favor and look at life's complexities through the lenses of others. We'll done!

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Mar 1, 2026

Successful drama movie in 1 hour and 51 minutes.

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Jack F

@MovieFan111 Nov 19, 2025

I really enjoyed it, but watching it now is crazy, because Diddy is in it... and he's in jail!

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Matheus F

@matheusf_neto Sep 28, 2025

Perfect script and amazing performances of Halle Berry, Billy Bob Thornton, Heath Ledger and Peter Boyle.

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Funky L

@RT67334746 May 26, 2025

Fantastic acting. Definitely leaves you thinking about the movie after it ends. Did Latica stay with Hank because she wanted to, or because she had no where else to go.

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Laurian D

@Laurian Apr 3, 2025

Absolutely stunning. Not one wasted shot

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Marc Forster

Director

Halle Berry

Leticia Musgrove

Billy Bob Thornton

Hank Grotowski

Heath Ledger

Sonny Grotowski

Peter Boyle

Buck Grotowski

Diddy

Lawrence Musgrove

Monster's Ball: Official Clip - You Ain't Lost No Weight

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Monster's Ball: Official Clip - Hank Just Like His Daddy

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Synopsis

Hank, an embittered racist prison guard working on death row, begins an unlikely, emotionally charged sexual relationship with Leticia, a Black woman and wife of a man sentenced to death. The affair begins just after Hank oversees the capital punishment of Leticia's husband.

Director: Marc Forster
Producer: Lee Daniels
Screenwriter: Milo Addica, Will Rokos
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Production Co: Lee Daniels Entertainment, Lions Gate Films
Rating: R (Strong Sexual Content|Language|Violence)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 26, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 19, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $31.3M
Runtime: 1h 47m
Sound Mix: Dolby A, Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby Stereo, Dolby SR, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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