The iconic actor Val Kilmer, famous for playing Batman, passed away at the age of 65 in Los Angeles, California. The news, confirmed by his daughter, shocked the entertainment world as well as his fans, who have decided to remember him through his movies.
One of these films, released in 2008, has begun to gain popularity on Netflix. It is Felon, a prison thriller that is now among the most-watched titles on the streaming platform. If you haven’t seen it, here’s what it’s about.
What is the movie Felon with Val Kilmer about?
The film follows the story of Wade Porter, a man who, after attempting to protect his family from an intruder trying to break into his house, ends up killing him, leading to his arrest and imprisonment. There, he encounters a dangerous and corrupt prison system.
During his time in prison, Wade has to face relentless violence and deal with a system that seems designed to destroy his will. In this environment, he meets John Smith, a prisoner sentenced to life imprisonment, who becomes a key figure in understanding what really happens behind bars.
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Is the movie Felon based on a true story?
Yes. The plot is inspired by real events related to the Corcoran State Prison in California, known for housing criminals such as Charles Manson and Juan Corona, the latter convicted of killing numerous farm workers in the 1970s.
The movie reflects the harshness of some of the maximum-security prisons in the United States, showing an environment where survival is a constant struggle.
Felon: Cast
In the movie Felon, Val Kilmer shared credits with other actors. The cast includes:
- Stephen Dorff
- Marisol Nichols
- Vincent Miller
- Harold Perrineau
- Greg Serano
- Johnny Lewis
- Nate Parker
- Nick Chinlund
- Anne Archer
- Sam Shepard
Who was Val Kilmer?
Val Kilmer was born in Los Angeles in 1959. Although no one in his family worked in entertainment, at the age of 17, he decided he wanted to pursue acting and was admitted to the Juilliard School in New York, where he graduated in 1981. Although his professional career started in theater, it was not in film.
His first significant role was in The Slab Boys, a Broadway play in which he shared the stage with Sean Penn and Kevin Bacon. One of his most notable theater roles was playing Hamlet in a version of Shakespeare’s famous play.
In 1984, Kilmer made his film debut in Top Secret, but it was with his role in Top Gun in 1986, alongside Tom Cruise, that he achieved worldwide fame.
In his personal life, Kilmer married actress Joanne Whalley, whom he met during the filming of *Willow*. They had two children, Mercedes and Jack, but their marriage ended in divorce. Besides his acting career, Kilmer showed interest in politics and even considered running for governor of New Mexico.
His last on-screen appearance was in Top Gun: Maverick in 2022. After this work, Kilmer decided to step away from the film industry and focus on his family, dedicating more time to being with his children.
What did Val Kilmer die of?
According to his daughter, Val Kilmer passed away after suffering from pneumonia. The actor’s health had already been compromised previously, as in 2014 he was diagnosed with throat cancer. Although he managed to recover, his health remained affected.
Val Kilmer’s Movies
Throughout his career as an actor, he participated in a large number of film productions. Some of the most notable ones include:
- Top Secret
- Top Gun
- Willow
- Billy the Kid
- The Doors
- Tombstone
- Batman Forever
- The Prince of Egypt
- Red Planet
- Alexander
- Kill the Irishman
- Top Gun: Maverick
