The Messenger

The Messenger (2009)

  • 90% of critics liked it
    (151 reviews)

  • 72% of users liked it
    (19,120 ratings)

An Iraq War veteran who just narrowly escaped death in combat struggles with his new post at the Casualty Notification Office while anticipating his upcoming discharge in this military drama starring Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson, Jena Malone, and Samantha Morton. Will Montgomery (Foster) has spent… More

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R, 1 hr. 53 min.
Directed By
Oren Moverman
Written By
Oren Moverman, Alessandro Camon
Genres
Drama, Romance
In Theaters
Nov 13, 2009 Wide
On DVD
May 18, 2010
Oscilloscope Pictures

Critic Reviews

  • Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

    The bombshell is the news of a soldier's death and the delivery of that message is the heart of this unsentimental, yet deeply moving, story.

  • Peter Howell, Toronto Star

    The film is premised on the verbal communication of urgent information, yet its many non-verbal moments provide the greatest strength and clarity.

  • Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

    Harrelson gives us layers of hurt under a callous yet needy crust. It may be the best performance of his career and certainly deserves Oscar consideration.

  • Rex Reed, New York Observer

    At its center lie three accomplished performances, by Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson and Samantha Morton, that are not to be missed.

  • Tom Long, Detroit News

    The beauty in Foster's portrayal is that it never completely explodes, but anger and aching seethe behind his eyes. Harrelson, meanwhile, is a good old boy with a bad old job.

Read all 23 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Melvin W


    Captain Tony Stone: I know what you're thinkin'. You're thinkin' shit, I'm a goddamn decorated war hero with three months left to serve, and they draft me into the angels-of-death squadron. I get a beeper, a canned speech, and a lunatic commanding officer to… More

  • Jameson W


    An emotional powerhouse drama. Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster are stunning...

  • Daniel P


    Heavy, heavy stuff. Loved it. A couple of scenes go on a bit long, but overall this is a film with a lot to it. The characters are real, the plot is tight and comes together perfectly, the acting is impressive, and the gritty realist style brings to light just what the Iraq War has… More

  • Chris W


    More often than not, when a film that is a wartime drama gets released, it usually focuses on the battlefield, and the horrors of war. Not all, but many. This is one of the few that focuses on what hapens after all that, when the news that no one wants comes, and the men who are… More

  • Mark W


    War films tend to show you the brutality of conflict on the battlefield; the blood and the guts; the firepower; the fear and the bravery. Few address the conflict at home, which is quite surprising as the ones that do, tend to be raw and personal stories. This one certainly is.… More

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

Cast

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