Monster's Ball (2001) on Netflix
A prison officer, Hank Grotowski, is among those who carry out the execution of Lawrence Musgrove. He becomes involved with Leticia, a waitress unaware that he took part in her husband's death.
- Netflix3.4/5
- IMDb7.0/1097,920 votes
- Rotten Tomatoes85%
Trailer
Plot summary
Hank Grotowski is a corrections officer at a Georgia prison, where his son, Sonny, works beside him. The two share a house with Hank's father, Buck, a retired officer who is ailing and racist. Hank's duties include overseeing the execution of Lawrence Musgrove, a convicted murderer. Before the execution, Musgrove receives a visit from Leticia, his wife, and Tyrell, their son. Beset by money problems, Leticia takes her distress out on Tyrell. Later, driving on a rainy night, Hank finds Tyrell hurt at the roadside with Leticia pleading for help, and takes them to a hospital. Days afterward he gives Leticia, who waits tables at a diner, a ride home, and the two talk about the losses each has suffered. She invites him inside.
Cast
- Will Rokosas Warden Velesco
- Taylor Simpsonas Lucille
- Gabrielle Witcheras Betty
- Amber Rulesas Vera
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about Monster's Ball (2001)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- Monster's Ball was nominated twice at the 74th Academy Awards, for Best Actress (Berry) and Original Screenplay (Addica and Rokos), with Berry winning for her performance, becoming the first African American woman to win the award.
- Before Halle Berry was cast as Leticia, Angela Bassett and Vanessa Williams were first cast but both of them declined, and Wes Bentley turned down the part of Sonny, which eventually went to Heath Ledger.
- The writers were inspired by their troubled relationships with their fathers, a starting point that led to a generational tale about executioners and to the title, an old term for the last meal of a condemned man and a "ball" that took place with his jailers the night before.
- The role of Tyrell went to ten-year-old actor Coronji Calhoun; Calhoun died in November 2021, and both Berry and Daniels contributed financial assistance to Calhoun's funeral.
- Years of development occurred due to interest from filmmakers ranging from Robert De Niro to Oliver Stone, along with studios that wanted a lighter ending, but the transition to Lee Daniels and Lionsgate led back to the original ending.
- Casting continued right up to the start of filming: a week before production, Sean Combs auditioned for the role of Lawrence Musgrove, and won it.
