Kiefer Sutherland gives authority a faintly threatening edge, using his gravelly voice without always needing to raise it. We value that restraint, and his small part in Juror #2 makes a persuasive case for more of it.
Fi1m perspective
In Juror #2 (2024), Kiefer Sutherland explains what a visit to the police could mean for a man with Justin’s history. His Larry Lasker is both Justin’s sponsor and a lawyer, and the advice arrives in a level voice. We were unsettled by that calm, because the consequences sound more serious when nobody needs to raise their voice. Clint Eastwood gives him one strong scene, and Sutherland makes it count without asking us to admire the effort. It is a good use of an actor who can make a warning persuasive without making it loud.
The early notice came with Stand by Me (1986), followed by a run of youth-oriented films. He was well suited to supporting work such as Lt. Jonathan Kendrick in A Few Good Men (1992). After early leading roles, he moved towards character parts and darker material. That shift makes sense to us: his gravelly voice is particularly useful when a character has power over somebody else.
Dark City (1998) shows what can go wrong even when the casting looks right. As Dr. Daniel P. Schreber, Sutherland belongs to a company that also includes Rufus Sewell, William Hurt and Jennifer Connelly, yet the thin writing leaves us wanting to know these people better. Alex Proyas gives the oppressive city more attention than its inhabitants. We recommend the film for its unease and visual invention, but Sutherland’s presence cannot supply the individuality the script withholds. We would have welcomed more time with Schreber.
The decisive turn came with television. Jack Bauer in 24 (2001–2010, 2014) became his defining part, giving his aptitude for high-stakes drama sustained use. Phone Booth (2003), in which he plays the Caller in a single-location thriller through voice alone, is a useful reminder of how much of his effectiveness is audible.
We prefer the restraint of his work in Juror #2. Larry’s measured explanation gives the scene its force, and the small part feels sufficient in a way Schreber’s does not. Start there for Sutherland in a quieter role, but do not expect much reassurance.
Biography
Kiefer Sutherland is a British-Canadian actor. He was born in Paddington, London, on 21 December 1966, the son of actors Donald Sutherland and Shirley Douglas.
Sutherland first achieved recognition for his role in the Canadian film The Bay Boy (1985). He rose to prominence in Hollywood films including Stand by Me (1986), A Few Good Men (1992) and Phone Booth (2003). He is best known for portraying Jack Bauer in the television series 24 (2001–2010), for which he received an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award. His later film credits include Melancholia (2011) and Juror #2 (2024), in which he played Larry Lasker.
