A new trailer for director Atom Egoyan’s real-life drama Devil’s Knot has been released online.  The film is based on the story of the West Memphis Three, who were wrongfully accused and convicted of the murder of three young boys in Arkansas in the 1990s.  Reese Witherspoon stars as the mother of one of the victims while Colin Firth plays a private investigator hired to look into the defense case.  I caught the pic at TIFF last fall and found it to be a massive disappointment.  The film has no real focus and the performances—by talented actors, mind you—are bafflingly atrocious.  Moreover, the story of Witherspoon’s character verges into exploitation territory.

Hit the jump to watch the trailer, and click here to read Matt’s review.  The film also stars Alessandro Nivola, Stephen Moyer, Dane DeHaanMireille EnosBruce GreenwoodElias Koteas, and Amy Ryan.  Devil’s Knot opens in theaters May 9th.

Click over to Apple to watch in HD.

Here’s the official synopsis for Devil’s Knot:

Reese Witherspoon and Colin Firth star in this gripping film based on the true story of the murder of three young boys in West Memphis, Arkansas and the murder trial that shocked the nation.

devils-knot-poster