Inspired by true events, Dead Man Walking is the story of a spiritual woman who embarks on a dangerous journey with a convicted killer and the profound changes it makes in her life. Confronted with the anger of the community and the private pain of his victims' parents, Sister Helen Prejean (Susan Sarandon) overcomes her own fears to fight for the life and soul of Matthew Poncelet (Sean Penn). Honoring the request of a lonely and desperate man, Sister Helen writes to Matthew Poncelet, the condemned killer of two teenage lovers, and is wholly unprepared for the relationship which will follow.

When the date is set for Matthew's execution, he asks Sister Helen to be his spiritual advisor and she complies. As she comes to see the terrified human beneath Matt's brash, unrepentant facade, Sister Helen becomes increasingly disturbed, not only by the terrible anguish he suffers during the long countdown, but by the rage of the victims' families, who seek retribution for their unbearable loss.

With this film, we are able to see the difficult challenge of bringing fairness, honor and voices to the families of the victims. With the clock ticking away the final days before his scheduled execution, she struggles for the life, the dignity, and the soul of a confused and angry man. in the end, it is her faith and her fierce courage that sustains her when she stands with Matthew and with the victims' families.