Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- tragic
- harrowing
- mournful
- serious movie night
- true crime viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film's heartbreaking and worthy subject matter compellingly acted, while its emotionally aggressive presentation weakened the dramatization.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The prosecution's arson conclusions are challenged by later scientific evidence and expert testimony.
Cameron Todd Willingham's death sentence and execution drive the film's ethical and emotional stakes.
Elizabeth Gilbert investigates the case and seeks to establish that Willingham was wrongly convicted.
The story examines Willingham's prosecution and death sentence within the Texas legal system.
Films like Trial by Fire, and why
Just Mercy
shared biographical courtroom drama, wrongful conviction, and institutional injustice
Dead Man Walking
shared death penalty controversy, moral seriousness, and emotionally charged legal investigation
Richard Jewell
shared true-crime focus, investigative journalism, and systemic failure
The Life of David Gale
shared wrongful accusation, legal suspense, and critique of official misconduct
Movie Details
- Director
- Edward Zwick
- Release Date
- 2019-05-17
- Runtime
- 127 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (281)
Cast
- Jack O'Connell
- Laura Dern
- Emily Meade
- Jade Pettyjohn
- David Wilson Barnes
- Jeff Perry
- Rhoda Griffis
- Blair Bomar
- McKinley Belcher III
- Catherine Carlen
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Trial by Fire about?
- A devastating true-crime drama follows a condemned Texas father and the advocate determined to expose the failures behind his conviction.
- What is Trial by Fire like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Trial by Fire as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Trial by Fire violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Trial by Fire as moderate.
- What did critics think of Trial by Fire?
- Critics broadly found the film's heartbreaking and worthy subject matter compellingly acted, while its emotionally aggressive presentation weakened the dramatization.
- Which films are like Trial by Fire?
- Films with a similar feel include Just Mercy, Dead Man Walking, Richard Jewell, and The Life of David Gale.
- How long is Trial by Fire?
- Trial by Fire runs 127 minutes.
- Where can I watch Trial by Fire?
- In United States, Trial by Fire streams on Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel.
