Based on the bestselling book, this film tells of convicted killer Matthew Poncelet and Sister Helen Prejean, his spiritual advisor. Matthew Poncelet is the convicted killer of two teenage lovers, preparing to end his life on death row. In response to a letter, Sister Helen Prejean visits Matthew and finds herself face-to-face with a killer who still pleads his innocence. When the date is set for his execution - death by lethal injection - and she agrees, little knowing the outrage that will follow her decision. But the journey they will undertake in search of the truth, is as powerful and profound as you are ever likely to witness on screen.