A Prayer for the Dying

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A Prayer for the Dying

Oct 2026

1h 35m

Western

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

56%

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25 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

In the aftermath of the Civil War, A PRAYER FOR THE DYING follows veteran Jacob Hansen, whose American dream of a new life in Friendship, Wisconsin quickly becomes a nightmare. When a deadly epidemic and threatening wildfire spread chaos, Jacob -- serving as sheriff, undertaker, and pastor -- must fight to save his town, his family, and his soul.

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Brian Tallerico

RogerEbert.com

Sep 20, 2026

2.5/4

Not only is it thematically and textually brutal, it’s washed in such a dust-brown color palette that you almost want to cough while you’re watching it.

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Lou Thomas

Time Out

Feb 17, 2026

4/5

Flynn is great as the tormented sheriff, while Reilly maintains his hit-rate of dependably unfussy performances. There’s much to recommend about this astute work.

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Leslie Felperin

The Hollywood Reporter

Feb 17, 2026

"Prayer" will definitely make a name for, or at least cement the reputations of, many of the talents attached to it. That goes especially for writer-director Dara Van Dusen.

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Chris Sawin

Video Librarian Magazine

1 day ago

3/5

Beautifully shot and expertly acted, the biggest issue A Prayer for the Dying has is that it is so slow by design. It is also tremendously bleak, which will likely make or break your opinion of it.

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Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

3 days ago

2.5/5

The craftsmanship proves more memorable than the story. And therein lies the paradox: A film about a dying world whose most extraordinary achievement is how vividly alive its filmmaking becomes.

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Rachel Wagner

Rachel's Reviews (YouTube)

Oct 17, 2026

Really dull and the casting is strange

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Mario Moreno

Oct 13, 2026

A phenomenal, visually striking directorial debut. I can’t believe this is Van Dusen’s first film, I’m very excited to see her next. Such restrain and control, beautiful performances, fantastic production design and mesmerizing cinematography.

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Dara Van Dusen

Director

Johnny Flynn

Jacob Hansen

John C. Reilly

Doc

Kristine Kujath Thorp

Marta Hansen

Gustav Lindh

Harlow

Hilton Pelser

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A Prayer for the Dying: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In the aftermath of the Civil War, A PRAYER FOR THE DYING follows veteran Jacob Hansen, whose American dream of a new life in Friendship, Wisconsin quickly becomes a nightmare. When a deadly epidemic and threatening wildfire spread chaos, Jacob -- serving as sheriff, undertaker, and pastor -- must fight to save his town, his family, and his soul.

Director: Dara Van Dusen
Producer: Dyveke Bjørkly Graver
Screenwriter: Stewart O'Nan, Dara Van Dusen, Dara Van Dusen
Distributor: Quiver Distribution
Production Co: Eye Eye Pictures
Genre: Western, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 9, 2026, Limited
Runtime: 1h 35m

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