The Judge (2014) | Rotten Tomatoes

The Judge

R

Released Oct 10, 2014

2h 21m

Drama

TRAILER

for The Judge: Trailer 1

List

The Judge: Trailer 1

2:14

View more videos

49%

Tomatometer

200 Reviews

72%

Audience Score

25,000+ Ratings

Hank Palmer (Robert Downey Jr.), a brilliant but shady attorney, returns to his Indiana hometown after learning that his mother has passed away. His arrival triggers renewed tension between himself and his father, Judge Joseph Palmer (Robert Duvall), who makes no secret of his disapproval of Hank's morally ambiguous career. As the lawyer prepares to depart, his father is arrested for a hit-and-run death. Hank takes on his father's defense, despite the objections of the resentful old man.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Netflix

Watch The Judge with a subscription on Netflix, rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

Critics Consensus

Solidly cast and beautifully filmed but thoroughly clichéd, The Judge seems destined to preside over a large jurisdiction of the basic cable afternoon-viewing circuit.

Read Critics Reviews

Donald Clarke

Irish Times

Objection! Meretricious sentimentality! Objection! Badgering the audience! Where is this leading, your honour?

Rated: 2/5

Oct 20, 2014

Full Review

Mark Kermode

Observer (UK)

As the verdict draws closer, the sentimental silliness and courtroom cliches pile up ...

Rated: 3/5

Oct 19, 2014

Full Review

Kate Muir

Times (UK)

Unfortunately, when Downey is not centre-stage the drama becomes leaden, sentimental and utterly improbable.

Rated: 2/5

Oct 17, 2014

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

The familiarity of the story hurts what is Dobkin's otherwise pleasantly sincere and straightforward direction, and a number of fine performances.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 18, 2022

Full Review

Dan Brightmore

NME (New Musical Express)

Robert Duvall gives a startlingly visceral performance in Robert Downey Jr's courtroom drama.

Rated: 4/5

May 26, 2021

Full Review

Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

The hardest working movie in show business. It's a film that wants to check all the boxes and tries just a little too hard.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 2, 2021

Full Review

Read all reviews

Audience Member

The story was good. The acting between Robert Downey Jr. & Robert Duvall was excellent.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/21/24

Full Review

Tonya K

Not sure why panned by critics. Top notch performances by all, gripping, and ultimately very moving.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/19/24

Full Review

Koi P

Enjoyed this movie. Some mystery, some drama, and a lot of heart. The portrayal of mental lapse was accurately done in subtely. Not a true story, but reflective of reality.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/15/24

Full Review

Nathan E

this movie wasn't terrible, but I wouldn't recommend it. Although the movie started out at a decent pace, I felt lost in the middle. Toward the end it was a whole different film. To be honest, the movie felt like a long drawn out soap opera. Some odd plot holes are: Hank Palmer makes out with Sam, and her daughter. NASTY. Hank and his dads relationship suddenly does a 180. The director is a comedy main so this movie was something different. The director did not do a good job with things like dialogue. The dialogue was very pervy, and misplaced. Although there were times where it could be ironic, it was more gross.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/10/24

Full Review

Claire F

Absolutely terrible. Genuinely one of the worst movies I have ever seen; I have no idea why people are giving it 5 stars. The plot, main and side, makes absolutely no sense and doesn’t seem to understand the cause and effect of the character’s actions. Plus, WHY the incest plot point? The ONLY people I can see enjoying this film are people who enjoy Hallmark movies where any basis in reality is not necessary for enjoyment.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

05/10/24

Full Review

Luigi H

One of the best underrated movies I have ever seen. First class acting and the story is truly heart touching.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/10/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

David Dobkin

Director

Robert Downey Jr.

Hank Palmer

Robert Duvall

Judge Joseph Palmer

Vera Farmiga

Samantha Powell

Billy Bob Thornton

Dwight Dickham

Vincent D'Onofrio

Glen Palmer

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

40%

36%

The Confession

96%

78%

Manchester by the Sea

TRAILER

for Manchester by the Sea

40%

15%

The Best Thief in the World

94%

87%

Fruitvale Station

71%

56%

Beautiful Boy

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

SAG Awards 2015 Winners

Conversations With 2015 Oscar Nominees

2015 Oscar Nominations

The Judge: Trailer 1

2:14

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Hank Palmer (Robert Downey Jr.), a brilliant but shady attorney, returns to his Indiana hometown after learning that his mother has passed away. His arrival triggers renewed tension between himself and his father, Judge Joseph Palmer (Robert Duvall), who makes no secret of his disapproval of Hank's morally ambiguous career. As the lawyer prepares to depart, his father is arrested for a hit-and-run death. Hank takes on his father's defense, despite the objections of the resentful old man.

Director: David Dobkin
Producer: Susan Downey, David Dobkin, David Gambino
Screenwriter: Nick Schenk, Bill Dubuque
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Big Kid Pictures, Team Downey
Rating: R (Some Sexual References|Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 10, 2014, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 5, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.7M
Runtime: 2h 21m
Sound Mix: Datasat, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Most Popular at Home Now