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Murder to Mercy: The Cyntoia Brown Story

Play trailer 1:50 Poster for Murder to Mercy: The Cyntoia Brown Story 2020 1h 37m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
79% Tomatometer 14 Reviews 52% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
In 2004, 16-year-old Cyntoia Denise Brown was arrested in Nashville, Tennessee, for murdering a 43-year-old man who picked her up for sex. She was tried as an adult and sentenced to life in prison -- Cyntoia's fate seemed sealed. The film shows the complexity of a child who was the product of three generations of violence against women in her biological family. And how in 2019, after nearly 10 years of legal challenges, Governor Bill Haslam granted her request for clemency. He did so following a slow shift in the state for legislative change in juvenile sentencing laws and having seen evidence of her maturity, education, and good behavior as a prisoner.

Critics Reviews

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Monica Castillo RogerEbert.com 04/29/2020
1/4
Murder to Mercy: The Cyntoia Brown Story is what happens when a crime documentary loses sight of its focus. Go to Full Review Bilal Qureshi New York Times 04/29/2020
A moving reflection of what criminal justice reform means in personal terms. Go to Full Review Robyn Bahr The Hollywood Reporter 04/28/2020
It ultimately does little to elucidate the wider social, racial or political contexts that led to her conviction or commuted sentence. In fact, it leaves enough gaps to make you question its entire point of view. Go to Full Review Carla Hay Culture Mix 07/16/2020
Although [the movie] rightfully gives credit to the defense team that didn't give up, the documentary could have been a little more honest ... if it explored how celebrity connections to fame, power, and wealth can affect the outcome of a criminal case. Go to Full Review Peter Canavese Celluloid Dreams 05/16/2020
3/4
A sober and interesting look at the justice system. Go to Full Review John Serba Decider 05/01/2020
A sloppy, surface-level glance at a story in need of more meaningful analysis. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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10/04/2020 Great documentary!! Loved the way it was made, kept my attention the entire time. Definitely made me change my opinion on cyntoia brown though. Must watch! See more 07/10/2020 It was a good story-letting you see her view and gives you her background. She is a tough young woman who has been thru hell. See more 05/17/2020 At the beginning, seems like another usual criminal documentary, but ended so passionate and is a very very dark documentary, darker than any criminal related content i have ever watched until now. See more 05/06/2020 The movie is about Transformation. To the man who made the movie he became an instrument to help Cyntoia and find the right group of people that will help her. I cried in this movie because what u thought what hopeless has a happy ending. It took long years to film but it was worth it. I pray to the lives of these people Cyntoia, her team & this film maker to be blessed. This is a work of Faith <3 See more Read all reviews
Murder to Mercy: The Cyntoia Brown Story

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Cast & Crew

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Daniel H. Birman

Director

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Murder to Mercy: The Cyntoia Brown Story

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Murder to Mercy: The Cyntoia Brown Story

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Movie Info

Synopsis In 2004, 16-year-old Cyntoia Denise Brown was arrested in Nashville, Tennessee, for murdering a 43-year-old man who picked her up for sex. She was tried as an adult and sentenced to life in prison -- Cyntoia's fate seemed sealed. The film shows the complexity of a child who was the product of three generations of violence against women in her biological family. And how in 2019, after nearly 10 years of legal challenges, Governor Bill Haslam granted her request for clemency. He did so following a slow shift in the state for legislative change in juvenile sentencing laws and having seen evidence of her maturity, education, and good behavior as a prisoner.
Director
Daniel H. Birman
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 29, 2020
Runtime
1h 37m