Poetic Justice

Play trailer

2:58

Poetic Justice

R

1993

1h 50m

Romance

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

35%

Tomatometer

31 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Still grieving after the murder of her boyfriend, hairdresser Justice (Janet Jackson) writes poetry to deal with the pain of her loss. Unable to get to Oakland to attend a convention because of her broken-down car, Justice gets a lift with her friend, Iesha (Regina King) and Iesha's postal worker boyfriend, Chicago (Joe Torry). Along for the ride is Chicago's co-worker, Lucky (Tupac Shakur), to whom Justice grows close after some initial problems. But is she ready to open her heart again?

Critics Consensus

Poetic Justice is commendably ambitious and boasts a pair of appealing stars, but they're undermined by writer-director John Singleton's frustrating lack of discipline.

Read Critics Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

04/26/2019

After a deceptively funny and offbeat beginning, the movie keeps restarting; each new start shows some promise, and Singleton's talent never really deserts him-but the parts don't come together to create a unified story.

Go to Full Review

Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

04/26/2019

"Poetic Justice" is a disappointment.

Go to Full Review

Angie Errigo

Empire Magazine

04/26/2019

2/5

Some good performances are balanced out by the film's contrivances and gratuitously foul-mouthed characters.

Go to Full Review

Justin Brown

Medium Popcorn

03/05/2020

2/5

Outside of a certain demographic, it's just not going to hit the same way.

Go to Full Review

Brandon Collins

Medium Popcorn

03/05/2020

2/5

It was fine, I loved Janet Jackson, but for me watching it now, my brain is blank. it wasn't terrible, wasn't good, it was just there. Respect to a Black romantic drama revered in the community, but I'd rather watch Love & Basketball...

Go to Full Review

Stephen Hunter

Baltimore Sun

04/26/2019

2/4

In short, the movie's pretty much of a mess, as it struggles with big themes but hasn't figured out what to do with them.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Damon G

@Dmoney420 Feb 22

Super good movie man people need to watch movies like this

See more

Joy B.

@9mr_0 Jan 5

لا توجد قصة في الفلم و لا عمق درامي للاحداث الفلم عبارة عن يوميات ببناء ضعيف . المخرج يروي الاحداث بشكل متسارع لم يبني الشخصيات بشكل جيد ولم يطورها . الفلم ضايع بين الكوميديا السطحية و الرومانسية الخجوله و الدراما الضعيفة . الا توجد كيمياء بين الشخصيات و حظور الممثلين ضعيف. التصوير فوضوي مع موسيقى صاخبة . لا ننكر ان الشخصيات حاولت تقديم شيء جيد لكن هم ضعيفين فنياً.الشعر كان جيد . هناك بعض الدقايق الجيدة لكن السيء عم على الجيد.

See more

Stephen C

@bob25009 Jan 5

The worldwide gross is $27,515,786.00. Ages 17 and older.

See more

alan g

@agenser Jul 25

Narcissistic rappers who can't act each trying to out do the others and failing miserably. Janet trying to be an "artiste". Good thing she has a rich family.

See more

Deontae D

@Deontae301 Jul 3

Great movie, I never knew it was connected with Boyz n the hood, I figured that though, Because it had some of the actors from that movie, Janet Jackson and Tupac is amazing, And John Singleton is a great director, They don't make movie's like this no more, The 90's had great movies

See more

pgill61 T

@RT75620848 03/20/2025

I just saw this movie for the first time in 2025. And I must say even though the two leads are iconic stars with an accomplished director. The movie fell so flat. I must say even though I finished it because that’s just what I do the movie was garbage. No cohesion no direction to the story just a trifling drunk and a stuck up poet who you never even really get to hear the poetry outside a little snippet. It had promised but failed to deliver.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

John Singleton

Director

Janet Jackson

Justice

Tupac Shakur

Lucky

Regina King

Iesha

Joe Torry

Chicago

Maya Angelou

Aunt June

Still Crazy

73%

84%

Still Crazy

Watchlist

How Stella Got Her Groove Back

51%

66%

How Stella Got Her Groove Back

Watchlist

Grosse Pointe Blank

82%

86%

Grosse Pointe Blank

Watchlist

Trust

80%

93%

Trust

Watchlist

Frankie and Johnny

69%

68%

Frankie and Johnny

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Yvonne Orji’s Five Favorite Films

Poetic Justice: Trailer 1

2:58

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Still grieving after the murder of her boyfriend, hairdresser Justice (Janet Jackson) writes poetry to deal with the pain of her loss. Unable to get to Oakland to attend a convention because of her broken-down car, Justice gets a lift with her friend, Iesha (Regina King) and Iesha's postal worker boyfriend, Chicago (Joe Torry). Along for the ride is Chicago's co-worker, Lucky (Tupac Shakur), to whom Justice grows close after some initial problems. But is she ready to open her heart again?

Director: John Singleton
Producer: Steve Nicolaides, John Singleton
Screenwriter: John Singleton
Distributor: Columbia Pictures, Columbia Tristar
Production Co: New Deal Productions, Sony Pictures, Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating: R
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 23, 1993, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 3, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $27.5M
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Surround

Most Popular at Home Now