Into the Abyss

2011 • 107 minutes

About this movie

In his fascinating exploration of a triple homicide case in Conroe, Texas, master filmmaker Werner Herzog (Cave of Forgotten Dreams, Grizzly Man) probes the human psyche to explore why people kill—and why a state kills. In intimate conversations with those involved, including 28-year-old death row inmate Michael Perry (scheduled to die within eight days of appearing on-screen), Herzog achieves what he describes as "a gaze into the abyss of the human soul." Herzog's inquiries also extend to the families of the victims and perpetrators as well as a state executioner and pastor who've been with death row prisoners as they've taken their final breaths. As he's so often done before, Herzog's investigation unveils layers of humanity, making an enlightening trip out of ominous territory.

Ratings and reviews

I have No experience but I do wish that the parents would sign permission to them the inmates pit there hand on the ones who like to fight going for bad one on one to really show them that prison really ain't No joke let them rougg them uo this show is on tv they take it for a joke do this in the name of Jesus

Dragged on too much, and the director, in his attempt to make the audience accept his anti-death penalty stance, becomes too chummy with the murderers.

Sad, Scary, heartbreaking, engrossing, 5 and a half stars!!