Watch At the Death House Door

At the Death House Door is a 2008 documentary film that examines the life and work of the Reverend Carroll Pickett, a former death row chaplain in Texas. Directed by Steve James and Peter Gilbert, the film follows Pickett as he recounts his experiences with the death penalty and reflects on its impact on both the condemned and the executioners.

The film is structured around Pickett's life story, beginning with his entry into ministry in the 1960s and his eventual appointment as chaplain to the Walls Unit prison in Huntsville, Texas, where the state's executions are carried out. Pickett's work with death row inmates is shown through his own personal accounts, as well as footage of him ministering to prisoners on their last day alive. The film also explores Pickett's own journey towards abolitionism, sparked by the execution of a mentally disabled man he had befriended.

The heart of At the Death House Door, however, is the story of Carlos De Luna, a man whom Pickett accompanied to his execution in 1989. Pickett was convinced of De Luna's innocence and became an advocate for his case in the years leading up to his execution. The film chronicles Pickett's investigation into De Luna's trial and conviction, as well as his attempts to stop the execution from taking place. The story of De Luna forms a powerful critique of the U.S. criminal justice system, as the film highlights the many flaws in the case against him and the injustices that led to his death.

Throughout the film, Pickett's reflections on his work as a death row chaplain and his evolving views on capital punishment are interspersed with interviews with legal experts, anti-death penalty activists, and other former death row employees. The interviews underscore the film's suggestion that the death penalty is a deeply flawed and unjust system that dehumanizes both the condemned and those charged with killing them. The film argues that the system's arbitrary and often racist application of the death penalty perpetuates cycles of violence and trauma that can affect everyone involved in the process.

Despite its heavy subject matter, At the Death House Door is a deeply humane and moving film, infused with the compassion and insight of its subjects. The film's portrayal of Pickett, in particular, is marked by a sense of humility and deep empathy for those he ministered to. Through his stories and reflections, the film underscores the importance of bearing witness to the tragedies and injustices that occur within the criminal justice system.

In sum, At the Death House Door is an affecting and thought-provoking documentary that offers a powerful indictment of the death penalty and a poignant tribute to those who have been affected by it. Through its focus on Pickett and De Luna's stories, the film invites viewers to consider the ethical and moral questions raised by the practice of state-sanctioned killing, and to reflect on the human toll of a system that seeks revenge instead of justice.

At the Death House Door is a 2008 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.