The Messenger
2009 · Movie · R · 113 min · ★ 6.8 · 84% critics
A wounded soldier returns home and is assigned to the Army unit that delivers death notifications to families. As he and a seasoned officer make their rounds, the job’s strict rules clash with raw grief, and he struggles to keep professional distance while searching for connection and meaning.
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Details
- Years
- 2009
- Release date
- 2009-11-13
- Language
- English
- Rated
- R
- Runtime
- 113 min
- Critic score
- 84/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.8/10 (482 votes)
About
If you liked the subdued, human-focused tone of Up in the Air, this offers a similarly intimate look at work and loss; Not for you if you want action, uplifting vibes, or a fast-moving plot.
Pros: powerful emotional moments; strong lead performances; thoughtful, original premise | Cons: slow, repetitive pacing; meandering story; uneven writing choices
Themes
- bereavement
- wounded
- soldier
- iraq war
- casualty of war
- war widow
Awards & recognition
- Grand prix du Festival de Deauville · 2009
- National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
- Academy Award — Best Writing, Original Screenplay · 2010 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Supporting Actor · 2010 · nominated
Cast & crew
Ben Foster
as Will Montgomery
Woody Harrelson
as Tony Stone
Jena Malone
as Kelly
Eamonn Walker
as Stuart Dorsett
Samantha Morton
as Olivia Pitterson
Steve Buscemi
as Dale Martin
Dale Soules
as Cashier
Stevie Ray Dallimore
as Kelly's Father
Michael Chernus
as Alan
Yaya DaCosta
as Monica Washington
Directed by Oren Moverman