Last week it came to streaming Jury No. 2the last film directed by Clint Eastwood. The courtroom drama led by Nicholas Hoult, Zoey Deutch and Toni Collette, has become one of the favorites of 2024 thanks to its positive reviews and its powerful story.
The story revolves around a man who is summoned to serve on a jury in a murder trial. However, as the plot progresses, the protagonist discovers that he could be much more involved than he thinks.
After its premiere on the platform Maxthe film has already become one of the most viewed titles. And not only because it did not reach movie theaters, but because it is a thriller full of tension, unexpected turns and deep moral reflections, with a final that will stay with you, even after seeing it.
What happens at the end of Jury No. 2?
The story of Jury No. 2 follows Justin Kemp (Nicholas Hoult), a seemingly ordinary man who is called upon to fulfill the civic duty of being a juror. Like many, he's not thrilled with the idea, especially since his wife Allison (Zoey Deutch) is going through a high-risk pregnancy and her due date is close. However, he accepts his role in the trial of James Michael Sythe (Gabriel Basso), accused of murdering his girlfriend Kendall (Francesca Eastwood). What Justin doesn't expect is that, upon hearing the details of the case, he begins to suspect that he himself could be responsible for Kendall's death.
That fateful night, Justin left the bar where James and Kendall were last seen arguing. While driving, he hit something with his car. He thought it was a deer, but doubt torments him: what if it was Kendall? As a recovering alcoholic, Justin confronts his past, marked by arrests for driving under the influence. He consults his Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor and lawyer, Larry (Kiefer Sutherland), who advises him to remain silent. Larry assures him that confessing would only complicate his situation and he could face manslaughter charges.
For Justin, being an impartial juror is practically impossible. As the rest of the members debate James' guilt, tensions begin to arise due to the lack of conclusive evidence and prejudice towards the accused, who has a past as a gang member. Justin, unable to withstand the pressure, tries to influence the verdict to protect himself, but this only plunges him deeper into the moral dilemma.
Meanwhile, prosecutor Faith Killibrew (Toni Collette), who led the investigation and is risking her career on this case, also begins to suspect that something is not right. Through clues left by Harold (JK Simmons), a juror thrown out for investigating on his own, Faith begins to connect loose ends. This is how he reaches Allison, Justin's wife and owner of the car he was driving that night. Although neither of them knows that their stories are linked, Faith begins to doubt.
Finally, Justin makes the desperate decision to convince the jury that James is guilty. The verdict is returned and James is sentenced to life in prison for Kendall's murder. But Justin's relief is temporary. Shortly after her daughter's birth, she attends James' sentencing trial, where Faith sees him and finally connects the dots. Outside the court, she confronts him. Although Justin doesn't directly admit anything, he hints that revealing the truth would destroy both his life and the reputation of Faith, now the district attorney.
He final of Jury No. 2 It leaves a bittersweet taste, and with a shock of suspense. While Justin is enjoying his life with his wife and daughter, Faith appears at Justin's door, suggesting that he has decided to prioritize justice over personal consequences. Although the film doesn't show what happens next, the message is clear: actions have consequences, and Justin will have to face his.
Although Eastwood Try not to make moral conjectures, the film makes it clear that, on more than one occasion, the truth always finds its way and comes to light. And that those who committed a crime, intentional or not, must face the consequences.
