Sing Sing is a Powerful Film about Redemption and Second Chances
If you search for reviews of Sing Sing,, you’ll find almost nothing but four-star ratings—and for good reason. This film earns every one of them. Sing Sing is an A24 film directed by Greg Kwedar, and it tells a deeply moving story of a man in prison who finds hope, purpose, and brotherhood through an arts program. Based on true events, many of the characters in the film are portrayed by formerly incarcerated individuals playing fictionalized versions of themselves, adding a raw authenticity that you can’t fake.
At the heart of the film is Colman Domingo, a powerhouse of a performer whose presence on screen is always electric. If you’ve been watching TV or movies recently, you’ve probably seen him—he’s everywhere, and deservedly so. But Sing Sing doesn’t belong to just one man. The film also stars members of the Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program, a real-life initiative that brings dance, theater, writing, jazz, and more to incarcerated people across New York State.
Currently active in 10 correctional facilities, RTA has proven results—less than 3% of its participants return to prison. In Sing Sing, at least 85% of the cast has experienced incarceration firsthand. That reality is felt in every performance. The film was shot in a former correctional facility in the Hudson Valley, grounding it even more in truth.
Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin (left) and Colman Domingo in “Sing Sing” (Photo courtesy A24).
I was fortunate enough to see the film early as part of the SAG Awards nominating committee, and from the first scene, I knew it was something special. It’s already earned a place in my personal top 10 films—and I’m not alone. Both the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute have named Sing Sing one of the top ten films of 2024.
Every actor delivers an emotionally resonant performance. You feel the stakes. You feel the weight of the past and the spark of something new. The film doesn’t just tell a story—it invites you into a community that has found healing through art.
One of the most groundbreaking aspects of this production is its commitment to equity: everyone on set, from Colman Domingo to the production assistants, received the same wage. This radical model—called community-based filmmaking—also offered the cast and crew an opportunity to share in the film’s profits.
Beyond its theatrical release, Sing Sing was screened in over 1,100 correctional facilities, bringing its message full circle to those who might need it most.
What stayed with me long after the credits rolled is the reminder of how essential human connection is—and how art can be a lifeline during the darkest moments. Themes of hope, love, community, and resilience pulse through every frame of the film.
With a modest budget of just $2 million, Sing Sing delivers a message that could change lives. It’s a deeply human, quietly revolutionary film. I hope it’s just the beginning of a new wave of stories that center compassion, community, and the power of second chances.
Written by Austin Brown
Austin is a SAG AFTRA actress based in Brooklyn NY. While auditioning, her day jobs are a stand in and Photo double for T.V Shows, Movies and commercials. She enjoys running marathons, pilates, & shopping. Before the film industry, she graduated with two business degrees from the Fashion Institute of Technology.