

The Metropolitan Opera: Dead Man Walking
Synopsis
American composer Jake Heggie’s compelling masterpiece, the most widely performed new opera of the last 20 years, arrives in cinemas in a haunting new production by Ivo van Hove. Based on Sister Helen Prejean’s memoir about her fight for the soul of a condemned murderer, Dead Man Walking matches the high drama of its subject with Heggie’s beautiful and poignant music and a brilliant libretto by Tony and Emmy Award–winner Terrence McNally. Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin takes the podium, with mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato starring as Sister Helen. The outstanding cast also features bass-baritone Ryan McKinny as the death-row inmate Joseph De Rocher, soprano Latonia Moore as Sister Rose, and legendary mezzo-soprano Susan Graham—who sang Helen Prejean in the opera’s 2000 premiere—as De Rocher’s mother.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Dead Man Walking: Trailer
Type: Trailer • Published 2023-09-26
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →Release History & Theatrical Window
October 21, 2023
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Ivo van Hove
- Screenplay & Story
- Helen Prejean, Terrence McNally
- Original Title
- The Metropolitan Opera: Dead Man Walking
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 3h 15m
- Production Studios
- The Metropolitan Opera
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Ivo van Hove
Helen Prejean, Terrence McNally
Department Leadership Roster
Terrence McNally
Writer
Ivo van Hove
Director
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
NR: Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Metropolitan Opera: Dead Man Walking.
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Metropolitan Opera
The Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD 2023-24 Season
The Met’s award-winning series of live movie theater transmissions returns in October with an extraordinary lineup, including exciting company premieres, new productions, and classic repertory favorites. Tickets go on sale in the U.S. and Canada on July 26.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Metropolitan Opera: Dead Man Walking
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Metropolitan Opera: Dead Man Walking about?
American composer Jake Heggie’s compelling masterpiece, the most widely performed new opera of the last 20 years, arrives in cinemas in a haunting new production by Ivo van Hove. Based on Sister Helen Prejean’s memoir about her fight for the soul of a condemned murderer, Dead Man Walking matches the high drama of its subject with Heggie’s beautiful and poignant music and a brilliant libretto by Tony and Emmy Award–winner Terrence McNally. Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin takes the podium, with mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato starring as Sister Helen. The outstanding cast also features bass-baritone Ryan McKinny as the death-row inmate Joseph De Rocher, soprano Latonia Moore as Sister Rose, and legendary mezzo-soprano Susan Graham—who sang Helen Prejean in the opera’s 2000 premiere—as De Rocher’s mother.
Who directed The Metropolitan Opera: Dead Man Walking?
The Metropolitan Opera: Dead Man Walking was directed by Ivo van Hove.
Who stars in The Metropolitan Opera: Dead Man Walking?
The principal cast of The Metropolitan Opera: Dead Man Walking includes Latonia Moore, Joyce DiDonato, Ryan McKinny, Susan Graham.
When was The Metropolitan Opera: Dead Man Walking released and how long is it?
The Metropolitan Opera: Dead Man Walking was released in 2023 with a total runtime of 3h 15m.
What is the age rating and content advisory for The Metropolitan Opera: Dead Man Walking?
The Metropolitan Opera: Dead Man Walking holds official age classifications: US: NR (Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.).



















