The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain

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The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain

2021

1h 23m

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

32 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain tells the true story of the final hours of the life of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr., an elderly African-American veteran with bipolar disorder, who was killed during a conflict with police officers who were sent to his home to check on him, when his medical alert device was mistakenly activated. Despite Chamberlain informing the officers there was a mistake and he did not have an emergency, they were recorded taunting him, ridiculing his military service, howling racial epithets at him, and finally, the officers broke his door down and shot him to death.

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Critics Consensus

The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain draws on harrowing real-life events -- and Frankie Faison's remarkable performance -- for a scathing rebuke to a systemic failure.

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Leslie Felperin

Guardian

May 4, 2022

4/5

One of the film’s more audacious qualities is that it just leaves [the] debate to us, choosing to simply depict the events as gathered from investigators and witnesses.

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Lisa Kennedy

Variety

Dec 13, 2021

Writer-director David Midell and actor Frankie Faison have delivered a taut, emotionally excruciating drama based on the police shooting of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. in White Plains, N.Y.

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Valerie Complex

Deadline Hollywood Daily

Dec 5, 2021

I can say that Frankie Faison illuminates an otherwise empty, hollow film.

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Dallas King

The People's Movies

Nov 13, 2022

5/5

This is a film that will make you angry, and rightly so... an incredibly powerful, visceral piece of storytelling and one of the best films of the year.

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Carla Renata

The Curvy Film Critic

May 1, 2022

The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain is a glaring, emotionally turbulent reminder of how Black lives have been snuffed and discarded like yesterday's trash. Frankie Faison is remarkable

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Robert Denerstein

Denerstein Unleashed

Jan 28, 2022

Midell's decision to film in a single room and in the cramped hallway outside Chamberlain's apartment creates 81 minutes of claustrophobic tension.

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Deb Howard

Sep 19, 2021

The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr is a must see. Brilliant writing, great actor portrayal. I know the family of Mr Chamberlain personally and I’m glad the story is finally being told. Faison did an amazing job portraying Mr. Chamberlain!!

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patricia

Sep 18, 2021

It was so sad yet very exciting. Frankie Faison's portrayal of Kenneth Chamberlain was amazing. The script kept you on edge throughout the movie. At the end they played the audio of the actual event which was very impactful. When I left the theater I was emotional and exhausted. Everyone who believes in social justice must see this movie!

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Keith B B

@Okbullard Dec 10, 2025

This was such a compelling, sad tragedy. This man was murdered by the police officers simply doing a wellness check. Frankie Faison was amazing as Kenneth Chamberlain. It's absolutely disgusting that none of the original three police officers were held accountable for his death. It's definitely worth the watch and based on true events.

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Tom M

@RT77934561 Sep 25, 2025

From the very moment the cops start banging on the door, you kinda know how this is gonna play out. You keep saying in your head, 'just f**king leave the guy alone!' But of course they don't. Taut, suspenseful, beautifully acted by Faison, it will make you angry, frustrated and sad.

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Rico N

@RT66203939 Jun 8, 2025

This film needs to be taught in schools and seen by everyone. Incredibly powerful!

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Stephen D

@sjhdearden Jun 7, 2025

An excellent low budget film telling a true story with impeccable acting. Cinema for thought rather than entertainment.

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David Midell

Director

Frankie Faison

Kenneth Chamberlain Sr.

Steve O'Connell

Sergeant Parks

Enrico Natale

Officer Rossi

Ben Marten

Officer Jackson

Angela Peel

Tonyia Greenhill

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Synopsis

The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain tells the true story of the final hours of the life of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr., an elderly African-American veteran with bipolar disorder, who was killed during a conflict with police officers who were sent to his home to check on him, when his medical alert device was mistakenly activated. Despite Chamberlain informing the officers there was a mistake and he did not have an emergency, they were recorded taunting him, ridiculing his military service, howling racial epithets at him, and finally, the officers broke his door down and shot him to death.

Director: David Midell
Producer: David Midell, Enrico Natale
Screenwriter: David Midell
Distributor: Gravitas Ventures
Production Co: Revelations Entertainment, Redbird Entertainment, Marginal Mediaworks
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 17, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 17, 2021
Runtime: 1h 23m

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