As I Lay Dying Poster

As I Lay Dying 2013

★ 5.284 votes110 min📅 2013-10-09

"From the classic novel by William Faulkner"

James Franco's gripping 2013 adaptation of William Faulkner's Southern Gothic classic, *As I Lay Dying (2013)*, plunges viewers into the heart of a struggling Mississippi family's tumultuous odyssey.

Director: James Franco

Cast

James Franco
James Franco
Darl Bundren
Danny McBride
Danny McBride
Vernon Tull
Logan Marshall-Green
Logan Marshall-Green
Jewel
Ahna O'Reilly
Ahna O'Reilly
Dewey Dell
Jim Parrack
Jim Parrack
Cash
Tim Blake Nelson
Tim Blake Nelson
Anse
Beth Grant
Beth Grant
Addie Bundren
Jennifer Kristen Howell
Cora Tull
Brady Permenter
Brady Permenter
Vardaman Bundren
Natalie Minton
Kate Tull

Frequently Asked Questions

What is As I Lay Dying (2013) about?

The film follows the Bundren family as they undertake a grueling two-day trip to bury their late matriarch, confronting hardship, grief, and internal strife. Their voyage exposes deeper fractures within the family, testing loyalties and revealing the stark realities of survival in 1930s Mississippi.

Who directed As I Lay Dying?

James Franco took the director's chair for this adaptation, bringing both his vision as a filmmaker and his talent as a lead actor to the project.

Who stars in As I Lay Dying?

The cast features James Franco, Danny McBride, Logan Marshall-Green, Ahna O'Reilly, and Jim Parrack as the core family and community members navigating this emotional journey.

Is As I Lay Dying (2013) worth watching?

While it may not be for every viewer due to its austere tone and slow pace, fans of Faulkner's work or Southern Gothic dramas will appreciate Franco's bold, atmospheric take. Its unflinching portrayal of grief and familial bonds offers a rewarding, if challenging, cinematic experience.

How long is As I Lay Dying?

The film runs for 110 minutes, or just under two hours.

🎥 Trailer

About As I Lay Dying (2013) — James Franco's Southern Gothic Masterpiece Reimagined

James Franco's gripping 2013 adaptation of William Faulkner's Southern Gothic classic, *As I Lay Dying (2013)*, plunges viewers into the heart of a struggling Mississippi family's tumultuous odyssey. Over two grueling days, the Bundren clan embarks on a harrowing journey by horse and wagon to fulfill their final duty: burying their beloved matriarch. But what begins as a simple mission spirals into a raw portrayal of grief, resilience, and human frailty, as each family member grapples with their own demons along the way. Franco masterfully captures the novel's stark atmosphere, blending stark realism with poetic melancholy to expose the fractures beneath familial harmony.

The film's rural, Depression-era setting breathes life into Faulkner's themes—mortality, sacrifice, and the often-fragile bonds that tie us together. With its unflinching lens and earthy dialogue, *As I Lay Dying (2013)* transforms a seemingly straightforward plot into a haunting meditation on life's cruel twists and the indomitable spirit required to endure them.