Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Crime drama

Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer (2018): Cast & Ratings

Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer (2018) movie poster

Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer is a 2018 crime drama starring Earl Billings as Kermit Gosnell, Dean Cain and Sarah Jane Morris. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes and earned $3.7 million worldwide on a $4 million budget. Its Echo Score is 78/100.

worldwide gross
$3.7M
Echo Score
78
budget
$4M
Loading streaming availability…
Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 33m (93 min)
Genres
Drama , Crime
Original language
English
Budget
$4M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer About?

The premise of Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

He took an oath to protect life, not take it. The story of the investigation and trial of abortion provider Dr Kermit Gosnell.

Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer Themes & Keywords

· 25 tags
  • abortion clinic
  • dead body in a refrigerator
  • abortion provider
  • true crime
  • serial killer
  • trial
  • abortion
  • illegal prescription drugs
  • aborted fetus
  • department of health
  • anesthetist
  • late term abortion
+13 more
  • baby delivered alive
  • clinic raid
  • baby spinal cord snipped
  • death on the operating table
  • 24 hour consent law
  • manslaughter charge
  • philadelphia pennsylvania
  • abortionist
  • policeman
  • journalist
  • blogger
  • based on book
  • based on true story
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer Cast & Characters

Earl Billings leads the cast as Kermit Gosnell, with Dean Cain as Detective James Wood and Sarah Jane Morris as Alexis 'Lexy' McGuire.

Also Starring in Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer

· 10 more
Ratings

Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in sensory experience (65).

78 /100

Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer Echo Score Breakdown

The film received generally favorable reactions, with reviewers highlighting its compelling courtroom narrative and strong performances. Praise focused on the direction and the ability to present a controversial case without overt preaching. Technical elements such as cinematography and sound design attracted criticism for inconsistency, creating a modest imbalance. Overall, the movie is regarded as engaging and thought‑provoking, though some production aspects detract from a flawless experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of art and craft, the direction was widely commended for its focused storytelling, while the production design was seen as adequate. Several reviewers pointed out subpar cinematography, noting uneven framing and visual execution. Editing and overall technical quality received mixed remarks, resulting in a solid but imperfect artistic presentation.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    Character and emotional impact were largely praised, with multiple reviewers citing nuanced and believable performances from the lead actors. The ensemble cast was described as credible, though a few noted occasional miscasting that reduced depth. Overall, the acting contributed significantly to the film’s emotional resonance and audience investment.

  • Story & Flow 82

    The story was recognized for its tight script, clear pacing, and effective avoidance of gratuitous gore. Reviewers appreciated the courtroom focus and the way the narrative allowed the facts to drive engagement. While some found the premise unsettling, the plot’s coherence and originality were generally viewed as strengths.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    Sensory experience garnered mixed feedback; sound design and musical choices were described as adequate but not standout. Visual style suffered from the previously noted cinematography issues, leading to occasional disjointedness. A few reviewers mentioned disturbing imagery that impacted comfort, resulting in an overall uneven sensory impression.

  • Rewatch Factor 72

    Rewatch potential was seen as moderate to high, with many reviewers recommending the film for its lasting impression and thought‑provoking content. Some viewers felt compelled to recommend it to others, while a minority stopped early due to perceived bias or technical flaws. Consequently, the film holds notable but not universal replay value.

Plot

Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer Plot Summary

What happens in Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the gripping investigation into a prescription pill mill run by Kermit Gosnell, Detective James “Woody” Wood discovers a troubling death: a woman died at Gosnell’s clinic after narcotics were given without a doctor on the premises. Wood, relentless and precise, teams up with his partner to uncover the truth, pressing on through a raid that brings the darker side of medical practice into daylight. The operation, supported by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, aims to expose how the clinic operated under the radar while patients were heavily medicated for abortions.

Full summary

The whole story of Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer Box Office & Budget

Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer grossed $3.7 million worldwide on a $4 million budget, 92% of what it cost.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$3.7M

92% of its budget back

US & Canada
$3.7M
Budget
$4M
Videos

Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer?

11 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 11

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered
  11. Question 11: not answered

Which detective leads the initial investigation into Kermit Gosnell's clinic?

Cars

Cars in Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer

14 cars on screen, including the 2010 Chevrolet Suburban and the 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe.

All 14 cars
  • 2010 Chevrolet Suburban in Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer 2010 Chevrolet Suburban Important role
  • 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe in Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe Minor role
  • 2003 Ford Crown Victoria in Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer 2003 Ford Crown Victoria Minor role
  • Maserati Quattroporte V in Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer Maserati Quattroporte V Minor role
Details

Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer Also Known As

7 alternative titles, including “Gosnell: America's Biggest Serial Killer” and “Gosnell: Amerika'nın En Büyük Seri Katilinin Denemesi”.

Also known as
  • Gosnell: America's Biggest Serial Killer
  • Gosnell: Amerika'nın En Büyük Seri Katilinin Denemesi
  • 고스넬
  • 戈斯内尔堕胎案
  • משפטו של הרוצח הסדרתי הכי גדול באמריקה
  • Госнел: Процесът срещу най-големия сериен убиец в Америка
  • Gosnell: O Julgamento do Maior Assassino em Série da América

Seen Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer?

FAQ

Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer?

Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).

When was Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer released?

Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer was released on October 12, 2018.

Who is in the cast of Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer?

Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer stars Earl Billings as Kermit Gosnell, Dean Cain as Detective James Wood and Sarah Jane Morris as Alexis 'Lexy' McGuire, among 14 credited actors.

How much did Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer make at the box office?

Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer grossed $3.7 million worldwide on a budget of $4 million.

Does Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer have a post-credit scene?

No. Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app