The film 's premiere was on September 2011 at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival . The film was often portrayed as being one among several " hot-button political documentaries " at the festival . Herzog , however , has stated that he has no political intentions with the film . Herzog states at the film 's outset that he opposes capital punishment , but he has said that his " focus is elsewhere " in the film . In an interview with the '' Los Angeles Times '' , he said , " This is not an issue film ; it 's not an activist film against capital punishment , " and , " Yes , it has an issue , but it 's not the main purpose of the film . " Before the film 's festival premiere , North American theatrical distribution rights were bought by Sundance Selects . In October 2011 , Sundance Selects announced that the film would be rushed to a theatrical release , opening in select cities on November 11 , 2011 . In recent months , controversies have arisen over American capital punishment in the case of Troy Davis and the cheers for Rick Perry 's execution record in a Republican primary debate . The early release was demanded by Herzog himself , who wanted his film to contribute to this new national discussion of the death penalty . Producer Erik Nelson said , " Everyone in the country is focused on the death-penalty debate again thanks to Rick Perry and the bloodthirsty yahoos at the Republican debate , and I think Werner wants the film to be part of that discussion because timing is everything . " After a theatrical release , the film was shown on Investigation Discovery , which provided the film 's financing . It is available for on-demand video streaming on Netflix
2011 Toronto International Film Festival
2011 Toronto International Film Festival
Into the Abyss (film)