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You Don't Know Jack

You Don't Know Jack

Is this the face of a killer?

TV movie2010134 minPG-13Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films
Director
Barry Levinson
Starring
Al Pacino, Danny Huston, Susan Sarandon, John Goodman

Controversy and legal problems follow Dr. Jack Kevorkian as he advocates assisted suicide.

Where to watch

Where can I watch You Don't Know Jack?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists You Don't Know Jack streaming on HBO Max and to rent or buy on Prime Video.

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Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about You Don't Know Jack?

You Don't Know Jack earns 7 badges, led by Universally Loved and Top 10% of films.

  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is You Don't Know Jack worth watching?

You Don't Know Jack's Midcredits score is the 92nd percentile of all films, from 45K ratings across 4 sources. 85% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

92nd percentile

Better received than 92% of films

88th percentile among Biography93rd percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)86th
Approval (how many liked it)95th

72 /100

86th percentile of all films

83rd percentile among Biography85th percentile among 2010s

Rating distribution

Most people land high, with a thin tail of low scores from those it didn't reach.

85% liked it

95th percentile of all films

92nd percentile among Biography95th percentile among 2010s
85% rated it 7–1015% rated it 1–6

Critics 83% · Audience 83%

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics and audiences approve at similar rates.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 11 wins / 38 noms overall

  • WonGolden Globes· Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television
  • NominatedGolden Globes· Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television

91st percentile

45K ratings across platforms

79th percentile among Biography92nd percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 29% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$18M

What reviewers say

Common ground

A well-acted biopic focused on Jack Kevorkian's crusade for assisted suicide, presenting his viewpoint clearly.

Fans praised

  • Pacino's transformative performance, disappearing into the role
  • Balanced presentation of controversial subject without preaching
  • Captures Kevorkian's compassion and conviction for patient dignity

Detractors panned

  • One-sided propaganda that demonizes opponents
  • Boring and dull, with no nuance on the ethical debate
  • Glorifies a questionable man without critical depth

What stands out

ActingDivisive85

Pacino's uncanny physical and vocal transformation

Plot and storyDivisive65

Follows Kevorkian's legal battles and patient cases

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 4 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 7 points apart
  • Critics vs users 6 points apart
  • US vs non-US 2 points apart

Watch experience

What is You Don't Know Jack like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Tense and gripping: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready to pay close attention and feel heavy feelings, and you want something tense that holds you to the end.

It is intense, has a few laughs and leaves you thinking. Skip it when you want an easy night or you can only half-watch.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Your full attention and room for heavy feelings.

What it feels like

Tense and gripping.

The answer rests on this: Moods
TenseContemplative
Heaviest: late
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
Solemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.Wry · 7% of films: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats Kevorkian's crusade with gravity but allows his eccentric wit to surface.
The rideThe film builds tension through legal clashes and ethical debates, with moments of dark humor, culminating in a heavy third act focused on the trial and Kevorkian's conviction.
StructureConventional biopic structure following Kevorkian's crusade from his first assisted suicide to his final trial.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Thinking.

Thought-provokingBittersweet
Why it leaves you this wayThe film's nonjudgmental presentation of assisted suicide leaves the viewer reflecting on the ethical questions long after the credits.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Monster
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% (this title) · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Oppressive state: A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).

21% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeKevorkian's single-minded campaign to legalize assisted suicide pits him against Michigan's legal and political system, which he sees as an oppressive force denying terminally ill patients their right to die.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfTruthIdeas
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4% (this title)
  • Ideas 5% (this title): Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% (this title) · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Ideas

Truth · 4% of filmsLegacy · 4% of films
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Societal stakes: Consequences reach a whole social order.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film interrogates the right to die and the moral limits of law, centering on Kevorkian's conviction that terminally ill individuals should control their own end.
StanceThe film questions the morality and legality of assisted suicide without fully endorsing or condemning Kevorkian, presenting his hubris as both heroic and troubling.

The world

Late 20th centuryInstitutionalDomesticUrbanRealistic
Orchestral modernSupportive music · original score · Nil
SettingMichigan, 1990s, in Kevorkian's home-based suicide device and courtrooms
MusicScore underscores the ethical weight of key scenes without dominating.

Content guide

Is You Don't Know Jack okay for kids?

PG-13

You Don't Know Jack is rated PG-13. As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (33/100), sexual content at minimal (11/100), language at moderate (44/100), drug and alcohol content at minimal (14/100) and frightening material at moderate (44/100). Its violence, language, drug and alcohol content and frightening material have too few votes to rank.

Ratings in 4 other countries
  • Germany16
  • Brazil14 anos
  • Netherlands12
  • Spain18
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Mild
too few votes to rank (6 votes)
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 12%
Profanity
Moderate
too few votes to rank (6 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (7 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
too few votes to rank (6 votes)

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Too few votes to rank this title overall (37 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does You Don't Know Jack have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in You Don't Know Jack?

Cast

3 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor; Al Pacino won the Emmy for this film.

Al Pacino
as Dr. Jack Kevorkian
Emmy win: Primetime Emmy — Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a MovieTop draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Danny Huston
as Geoffrey Fieger
Susan Sarandon
as Janet Good
Emmy nominee: Primetime Emmy nomination — Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or MovieTop draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
John Goodman
as Neal Nicol
Emmy nominee: Primetime Emmy nomination — Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a MovieTop draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Brenda Vaccaro
as Margo Janus
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Eric Lange
as John Skrzynski
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
James Urbaniak
as Jack Lessenberry
Rutanya Alda
as Vendor
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Delaney Williams
as Detective
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Danielle McKee
as Dorothy Lessenberry

Crew

Directed by

Barry Levinson

Written by

Adam Mazer

Cinematography

Eigil Bryld

Edited by

Aaron Yanes

Music by

Marcelo Zarvos

Produced by

Scott Ferguson

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Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

9 of these 12 share its world: legal. Those cards say what else they share.

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