The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain

Play trailer

1:02

The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain

2021

1h 23m

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

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.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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.

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

Valerie Complex

Deadline Hollywood Daily

Dec 5, 2021

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

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

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

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

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!!

See more

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!

See more

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.

See more

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.

See more

Rico N

@RT66203939 Jun 8, 2025

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

See more

Stephen D

@sjhdearden Jun 7, 2025

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

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

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

Shot

56%

56%

Shot

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Shot

Retaliation

75%

51%

Retaliation

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Retaliation

The Drowning

46%

17%

The Drowning

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Drowning

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain: Teaser Trailer

1:02

Now Playing

View more videos

View more photos

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

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings