10 Emotionally Gutting Films That Wrecked Their Audiences

Easily among the best of the Stephen King adaptations, The Green Mile follows death row prison officer Paul Edgecomb (played by Tom Hanks) as he oversees the titular business of executing prisoners. It humanises each and every convict in their wing, but one in particular makes the greatest impact.

The late Michael Clarke Duncan plays John Coffey, an inmate with wondrous supernatural abilities. As the prison officers warm to his virtuous, selfless nature, we the audience also become more appalled by the injustices committed in the film. Percy Wetmore is an especially detestable character as the film reaches its second act.

The film's extended runtime also aids in both the audience's attachment to the characters and the passage of time. At over three hours long, we feel the agonising grind of time behind bars while also growing more sympathetic to the characters locked away. By the time the conclusion comes around, many were left in tears by The Green Mile's final, devastating flourish. Through both treatment of prisoners and the darker side of humanity, The Green Mile becomes a harrowing tale laced with sadness and regret. Coffey's comments on human nature are deeply moving throughout, making for a seriously affecting production