Absence of Malice

Absence of Malice

In America can a man be guilty until proven innocent?

Directed by Sydney Pollack

Produced by Mirage Enterprises, Columbia Pictures

1981116 min6.6 / 10

A morally complex legal thriller that interrogates journalistic ethics and the collision between personal ambition and collateral damage.

Megan Carter is a reporter duped into running an untrue story on Michael Gallagher, a suspected racketeer. He has an alibi for the time his crime was allegedly committed—but it involves an innocent party. When he tells Carter the truth and the newspaper runs it, tragedy follows, forcing Carter to face up to the responsibilities of her job when she is confronted by Gallagher.

Questions people ask

  • Is Absence of Malice sad? Somewhat. More sad than 70% of films.

  • Does Absence of Malice end with hope? Not especially. Less hopeful than 63% of films.

  • Is Absence of Malice violent? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

  • Is Absence of Malice easy watching? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

  • Is Absence of Malice scary? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

Written about

48/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Familiar shape, done well.

Rarity54

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise40

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love50

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Everything like Absence of Malice, and what each one shares →

Like Absence of Malice

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as Absence of Malice

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like Absence of Malice, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like Absence of Malice, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like Absence of Malice, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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