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      The Messenger

      R Released Nov 27, 2009 1 hr. 52 min. Drama Romance War List
      90% 162 Reviews Tomatometer 75% 10,000+ Ratings Audience Score After being injured in Iraq, soldier Will Montgomery (Ben Foster) returns home to finish the rest of his tour of duty in the Army's Casualty Notification service. Teamed with veteran officer Tony Stone (Woody Harrelson), Will tries to come to terms with his own pain while dealing with the cold realities of his new mission. Will finds himself in the grip of an ethical problem when he becomes involved with Olivia (Samantha Morton), the widow of a fallen soldier. Read More Read Less Watch on Peacock Stream Now

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      The Messenger

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      The Messenger

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      Critics Consensus

      A dark but timely subject is handled deftly by writer/directer Owen Moverman and superbly acted by Woody Harrleson and Ben Foster.

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      Audience Reviews

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      Omar S A great story and realistic. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/24 Full Review Kyle M Films like this nicely provides depth behind a crucial job that we acknowledged and appropriately appreciate what surrounds the associated tasks that the assigned person has to perform. The picture here impeccably outlined the narrative that thoroughly expressed the involved lengths between professional ethics and bending attached morality, next to personal hardships that dynamically collaborates as perspective heal. Genuinely dark via sympathy in a timely matter as the deliverances were sharply executed just as realistically for hard-hitting resonance whilst attempting to represent different cases. Mainly elevated by the paired chemistry of Foster and Harrelson at one of their finest feats in exceptionally capturing what the job tends to hold. (A-) Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/07/22 Full Review isla s This film reminded me a little of a TV film called 'Resting Place', which I very much liked. It focusses primarily on the perhaps somewhat stereotyped(?) macho masculine persona of the American army/military, in the form of Captain Tony Stone (played by Woody Harrelson. Harrelson is an actor I am generally quite keen on - his presence made me more curious to see it) having to supervise and train staff sergeant Will Montgomery (played by Ben Foster) in relaying the tragic loss of a loved one to their next of kin, in a very specific, no-frills, procedural way. Steve Buscemi is also in the cast, playing a relative of alot fighter called Dale Martin and Samantha Morton gives a solid performance as Olivia Pitterson. I also like films with a moral/ethical aspect to it, which this does have. I found some of the plot details frustrating, certainly not in terms of believability, sadly, more so in terms of what it's shining a light on. It's an understandably sobering watch, not a war based action thriller but in terms of the themes and realities depicted. I won't go into any additional level of detail, for obvious spoiler reasons. The acting is good and its certainly a thought provoking watch, so I'd recommend it on that basis. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review ian u While it's very well acted + excellent camera work and direction, it ain't a movie for me. No sirree. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review jed i 5.7/10 — "Mediocre"/"Passable" Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Not quite enough for 4 stars, but this film was worth seeing, in my view. It gives some very real insights into the soldier's process upon returning to the calm of home, and finding very real chaos still inside. This film is slow at points for sure, covers very tough material, and shows a ton of heart. I expect that it will be quite divisive with some audiences because it is paced slowly and the main characters (Foster and Harrelson) are maybe a bit hard to empathize with at times, especially at first. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      The Messenger

      (L-R) Woody Harrelson as Tony Stone and Ben Foster as Will Montgomery in "The Messenger." (L-R) Woody Harrelson as Tony Stone and Ben Foster as Will Montgomery in "The Messenger." A scene from the film "The Messenger." Woody Harrelson as Tony Stone in "The Messenger." (L-R) Ben Foster as Will Montgomery and Woody Harrelson as Tony Stone in "The Messenger." Samantha Morton as Olivia Pitterson in "The Messenger." Ben Foster as Will Montgomery in "The Messenger." Director Oren Moverman on the set of "The Messenger." View more photos

      Critics Reviews

      View All (162) Critics Reviews
      Ed Koch The Atlantic An extraordinary anti-war film that does not engage in polemics. The Messenger's extreme effectiveness is due to the brilliant acting of Ben Foster and Woody Harrelson. Jan 16, 2018 Full Review Alissa Wilkinson Paste Magazine It is relentlessly bleak, even in its lighter moments. The downbeat tone is wearying. These days, we just need some hope. Rated: 6.8/10 Apr 12, 2016 Full Review Laura Kern Film Comment Magazine [Foster and Harrelson's] interplay, on the job (ruining the day of one unfortunate person after the next) and off...provides the backbone of this erratically paced film. Oct 20, 2014 Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) Exceptional film. [Full review in Spanish] Aug 10, 2022 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins A slice-of-life bit of realism from first time director Oren Moverman that doesn't have enough order or enough Woody Harrelson. Rated: 6/10 Nov 29, 2020 Full Review David Lamble Bay Area Reporter Foster dazzles as a young man defusing the rage within. Jun 18, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis After being injured in Iraq, soldier Will Montgomery (Ben Foster) returns home to finish the rest of his tour of duty in the Army's Casualty Notification service. Teamed with veteran officer Tony Stone (Woody Harrelson), Will tries to come to terms with his own pain while dealing with the cold realities of his new mission. Will finds himself in the grip of an ethical problem when he becomes involved with Olivia (Samantha Morton), the widow of a fallen soldier.
      Director
      Oren Moverman
      Executive Producer
      Steffen Aumueller, Nathaniel Bolotin, Shaun Redick, Glenn M. Stewart, Matthew Street, David Whealy, Bryan Zuriff
      Screenwriter
      Alessandro Camon, Oren Moverman
      Distributor
      Oscilloscope Pictures
      Production Co
      The Mark Gordon Company, Oscilloscope Films, Sherazade Film Development, Omnilab Media
      Rating
      R (Nudity|Language|Some Sexual Content)
      Genre
      Drama, Romance, War
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Nov 27, 2009, Wide
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Mar 8, 2017
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $1.1M
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