The Green Mile is a powerful and emotional film based on the 1996 novel by Stephen King. Set in the 1930s in a Southern U.S. penitentiary, it tells the story of Paul Edgecomb (played by Tom Hanks), a death row supervisor who works in the notorious “Green Mile,” the stretch of hallway that leads to the electric chair. This is no ordinary death row, however—it’s a place where strange, supernatural events begin to unfold, all stemming from one particular inmate: John Coffey (played by Michael Clarke Duncan), a giant of a man who has been convicted of the brutal murder of two young girls.

Despite his size and the horrifying crime he is accused of committing, John Coffey is revealed to be a deeply innocent and sensitive soul. As Paul and his colleagues interact with Coffey, they begin to uncover his miraculous abilities, including a supernatural healing power. Coffey’s abilities—such as bringing people back from the brink of death, curing diseases, and revealing visions of the future—are nothing short of extraordinary.

The central themes of The Green Mile revolve around the concepts of life, death, and justice, with the supernatural elements adding layers of complexity to these issues. As Paul grows increasingly sympathetic toward Coffey and begins to believe in his innocence, he must wrestle with the morality of executing someone who is not only a gentle giant but also capable of performing miraculous feats of healing. The film raises profound questions about the nature of guilt, redemption, and the human capacity for cruelty or compassion.

The film is primarily told through flashbacks as an elderly Paul Edgecomb (played by Bruce Willis in the framing story) reflects on the events of his time as a prison guard. The story begins with Paul and his fellow guards—each with their own personalities and struggles—meeting the new inmate, John Coffey. Initially, Coffey’s behavior is mysterious and unsettling, as he’s silent and seems to be in shock, but it soon becomes apparent that he is not what he seems.

Through a series of events, Paul and the other guards witness Coffey’s healing powers. He is able to heal a guard’s urinary tract infection, restore a mouse back to life, and even heal Paul’s own severe bladder infection. These miracles leave the guards questioning Coffey’s true nature and his innocence.

As the film progresses, Paul learns that Coffey’s abilities are not only healing powers but also come with a dark, tragic purpose. Coffey reveals that he was accused of killing the two young girls, but in fact, he found them dying and attempted to heal them, only to be blamed for their deaths. His supernatural abilities are a gift, but they come at a heavy cost. He is deeply burdened by his powers, and his emotional and psychological pain is evident throughout the film.

The most heartbreaking part of the story is when Paul discovers that John Coffey is not guilty of the crime he was accused of, but he is still condemned to die. Coffey’s innocence becomes painfully apparent, yet Paul is faced with the realization that Coffey will not be spared. In the end, Paul must carry out the execution of an innocent man, which haunts him for the rest of his life.