

Penitentia
“What's the true cost of doing nothing?”
Synopsis
Alejandro 'Ale' Villacaño is a young associate lawyer who has landed a job at a prestigious law firm. Even though he was top of his class, he is also a former convict and an acquitted felon, which makes him an unlikely pick for this firm. Intent on forgetting his past and forging a new identity, he dedicates himself to being the top associate at the firm. He is reluctant to take on a pro bono case to help an old friend, but ultimately does so at the prodding of his mentor. For Ale, it's filing a few grievances against the local prison and then back to his new life. But for his client, it’s a matter of life and death. No matter how much Ale tries to resist, the pull to do the right thing, to fight the good fight is too strong. Ensnared now in a case rife with corruption, corporate negligence, and abuse of power, Ale must decide what kind of lawyer he is really meant to be.
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →Glenn Stanton
Ale Villacano
Kate Flanagan
Beth Keefe
Michael W. Schwartz
Marvin Weissman
Rob Wilson
JD
Rusty Schwimmer
Shelly Wolf
Robert Lewis Stephenson
Tom Keefe
Natasha Coppola-Shalom
Shareen Robinson
Nigel Vonas
Huck
Chris Bylsma
Ronnie
Alan Vincent Knoll
Warden Martin
Chandra Michaels
Margaret Keefe
John Mossman
Eddie Hill
Tom Downing
Connor
Carmen Roman
Maria Villacano
Eric White
Delbert Lamoreaux
Rodrick Pocowatchit
Ernesto Villacano
Release History & Theatrical Window
Tallgrass Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Chris Lawing
- Screenplay & Story
- Chris Lawing
- Original Score
- Pierce Constanti, Pano Fountas, Adrian Khoury, George Hutson Warren
- Original Title
- Penitentia
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 39m
- Production Studios
- Propulsion Films, Redline Creative Group, XO Productions, Mercury Films
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Chris Lawing
Chris Lawing
Pierce Constanti, Pano Fountas, Adrian Khoury, George Hutson Warren
Chris Lawing
Chris Lawing
Barry Albrecht, Charles L. Barnes, Chris Lawing, Natasha Coppola-Shalom, Rik Cannon
Department Leadership Roster
Chris Lawing
Producer
Natasha Coppola-Shalom
Producer
Rik Cannon
Producer
Lisa Loew
Production Design
Chris Lawing
Director of Photography
Chris Lawing
Editor
Chris Lawing
Writer
Chris Lawing
Director
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Penitentia.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Penitentia.
Films
Similar Titles to Penitentia
Movies sharing stylistic DNA, tone, and thematic storytelling
More Like Penitentia
Recommended titles matching themes, cast, and genres.












Frequently Asked Questions About Penitentia
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Penitentia about?
Alejandro 'Ale' Villacaño is a young associate lawyer who has landed a job at a prestigious law firm. Even though he was top of his class, he is also a former convict and an acquitted felon, which makes him an unlikely pick for this firm. Intent on forgetting his past and forging a new identity, he dedicates himself to being the top associate at the firm. He is reluctant to take on a pro bono case to help an old friend, but ultimately does so at the prodding of his mentor. For Ale, it's filing a few grievances against the local prison and then back to his new life. But for his client, it’s a matter of life and death. No matter how much Ale tries to resist, the pull to do the right thing, to fight the good fight is too strong. Ensnared now in a case rife with corruption, corporate negligence, and abuse of power, Ale must decide what kind of lawyer he is really meant to be.
Who directed Penitentia?
Penitentia was directed by Chris Lawing.
Who stars in Penitentia?
The principal cast of Penitentia includes Glenn Stanton, Kate Flanagan, Michael W. Schwartz, Rob Wilson, Rusty Schwimmer.
When was Penitentia released and how long is it?
Penitentia was released in 2023 with a total runtime of 1h 39m.
Who composed the musical score for Penitentia?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Penitentia was composed by Pierce Constanti, Pano Fountas, Adrian Khoury, George Hutson Warren.




















