Movie

Absence of Malice

1981 · 116 min

A slow-burning, morally complex drama that keeps you thinking about responsibility and truth long after it ends.

Tagline: In America can a man be guilty until proven innocent?
Overview: 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.
How it feels: Melancholic, tense, earnest and cynical. Slow-burning and needs your attention.
About: Morality, media, justice, guilt
Content: Mild violence, sexual content and language. No gore.
Note: Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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Written by AI. It can be wrong.

Full breakdown

Tone: melancholicstrength 2 of 3
tensestrength 2 of 3
earneststrength 2 of 3
cynicalstrength 1 of 3
Pacing: slow-burn, 1 of 4, from slow-burn to relentless
Attention: engaged, 3 of 4, from background-friendly to demanding
Themes: morality
media
justice
guilt
betrayal
Places: big city
workplace
Era: contemporary
Audience: adult
Form: None
Content intensity: Gore none
Language mild
Violence mild
Sex mild