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

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Movie Info

"Monster's Ball" is a hard-hitting Southern drama tempered by a story of powerful, life-changing love. It is the story of Hank (Billy Bob Thornton), an embittered prison guard working on Death Row who begins an unlikely, but emotionally charged affair with Leticia (Halle Berry), the wife of a man he has just executed.
  • Rating:
    R (Language|Strong Sexual Content|Violence)
  • Genre:
    drama
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Marc Forster
  • Producer:
    Lee Daniels
  • Writer:
    Milo Addica, Will Rokos
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $31.3M
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Lee Daniels Entertainment
  • Sound Mix:
    Dolby Digital, Dolby SR, SDDS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, Dolby A
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Scope (2.35:1)

Cast & Crew

Billy Bob Thornton
Hank Grotowski
Heath Ledger
Sonny Grotowski
Halle Berry
Leticia Musgrove
Peter Boyle
Buck Grotowski
Sean Combs
Lawrence Musgrove
Mos Def
Ryrus Cooper
Will Rokos
Warden Velesco
Milo Addica
Tommy Roulaine
Coronji Calhoun
Tyrell Musgrove
Charles Cowan Jr.
Willie Cooper
Marc Forster
Director
Milo Addica
Writer
Will Rokos
Writer
Michael Paseornek
Executive Producer
Michael Burns
Executive Producer
Mark Urman
Executive Producer
Lee Daniels
Producer
Eric Kopeloff
Co-Producer
Roberto Schaefer
Cinematographer
Monroe Kelly
Production Designer
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News & Interviews for Monster's Ball

Billy Bob Thornton Says His Goliath Character Picked Up the Actor’s Bad Habits in Season 2
Billy Bob Thornton’s 10 Best Movies
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Critic Reviews for Monster's Ball

All Critics (143) | Top Critics (48) | Fresh (122) | Rotten (21)

View All Critic Reviews (143)

Audience Reviews for Monster's Ball

  • Jun 02, 2017
    Not for everyone, this work requires thought and involvement, leaving those desirous of spoon-feeding disappointed. Excellent performances highlight this serious film that questions our propensity to simplify, to label things, situations, and especially people (including ourselves) in order to 'quickly understand' problems. Eye-opening and unforgettable.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
  • Sep 30, 2014
    A little slow but a good movie about loss and grief. Halle Berry deserved that Oscar.
    Max G Super Reviewer
  • Dec 31, 2013
    Halle Berry and Billy Bob Thornton go to disturbing places within a disturbing existence with race issues and suffering thrown in for good measure. Their uncomfortable love making is as messy as the situation that they find themselves in.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Aug 16, 2013
    A film this emotional, and working in every way, is extremely hard to come by these days, because filmmakers usually do not pay close enough attention to the little details in creation a true human drama. Billy Bob Thornton and Halle Berry give the performances of their careers and the supporting cast of Heath Ledger and Sean Combs really holds up as well. Everyone brings their A-Game to this picture and it really does show. As an ex-cop falls for the wife of one of his death row inmates, death comes around every corner and the film becomes very hard to watch, with not many happy moments, if any. It is perfectly editing, the direction is immaculate, the script is far more than suitable for this particular subject, and the score of the film fits better than anything I have seen in a long time. "Monsters Ball" is easily one of my favourite films.
    KJ P Super Reviewer
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