Jarhead

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Jarhead

R

Released Nov 4, 2005

2h 3m

War

Drama

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Popcornmeter

60%

Tomatometer

197 Reviews

68%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

In the late 1980s, Anthony Swofford (Jake Gyllenhaal) enlists as a Marine, training in boot camp under a sadistic drill instructor. Swofford undertakes a sniper course headed by Staff Sgt. Sykes (Jamie Foxx) during this time, which is shortly before the advent of the Gulf War. When the United States becomes involved, Swofford is shipped out, along with his spotter, Alan Troy (Peter Sarsgaard). Facing uncertainty each day -- about the war and home -- the soldiers try to maintain composure.

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Critics Consensus

This first person account of the first Gulf War scores with its performances and cinematography but lacks an emotional thrust.

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Catherine Shoard

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Gyllenhaal can, in fact, act, so the blame must fall elsewhere for his dim performance, all topless tears and soulful voiceovers. The same goes for Peter Sarsgaard, Chris Cooper and Jamie Foxx, three good actors forced into contortions of theatrics.

Jan 16, 2018

Full Review

Leslie Felperin

Sight & Sound

Jarhead is simultaneously audaciously original and so mired in the clichés it knowingly acknowledges, sends up and honours that it has little new to say.

Sep 28, 2006

Full Review

Empire Magazine

Rated: 3/5

Apr 1, 2006

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Joanne Laurier

World Socialist Web Site

The deep demoralization of the US forces flows ultimately from their soul-destroying assignment to conquer the world on behalf of a bankrupt imperialism.

Mar 5, 2021

Full Review

David Lamble

Bay Area Reporter

Jarhead aims to provide the eternal reason why young men are drawn to war, like moths to the flame. Swofford and director Sam Mendes stress that to most young GIs, even the most fervently created antiwar film is a fighting man's pornography.

May 7, 2020

Full Review

Micheal Compton

Bowling Green Daily News

These soldiers wanted action, any action, just to feel justified for the life they left behind and Mendes does a great job of showing that anguish. The cast is excellent, too.

Rated: B+

Nov 19, 2019

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Arjun l

Good film showing a small picture aspect of the iraq war from a single solider perpective. Shows insight to what they might have gone through. There is alot of machoness and bravado. Explore men's mental heatlh, Male lonileness.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/17/25

Full Review

Nick E.

Jarhead is beautifully shot, but lacking any sort of emotional depth.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/17/25

Full Review

Daniel N

Surprisingly easy to watch considering absolutely nothing ever happens. Wouldn't watch it again. But it makes you feel for the soldiers that were stationed over there with nothing to do.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/10/25

Full Review

Christopher L

I think this is an under appreciated movie that is a great allegory about modern war and the experiences of many in the armed forces during this time. I loved all the characters and the end did touch your heartstrings a bit. Worth a watch!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/09/25

Full Review

thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/27/25

Full Review

shane o

A well shot and acted film highlighted the pointlessness of war and the effect it has on those who take part in it .

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/23/25

Full Review

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Sam Mendes

Director

Jake Gyllenhaal

Anthony Swofford

Peter Sarsgaard

Alan Troy

Jamie Foxx

Staff Sgt. Sykes

Chris Cooper

Lt. Col. Kazinski

Lucas Black

Chris Kruger

Jarhead: Official Clip - Training Death

1:16

Jarhead: Official Clip - Swofford Loses It

3:01

Jarhead: Official Clip - Stripping Soldiers

3:55

Jarhead: Official Clip - Drill Sergeant Intro

2:36

Jarhead: Official Clip - The Scorpion Fight

1:17

Jarhead: Official Clip - Permission to Take the Shot

2:34

Jarhead: Official Clip - Christmas Party Flares

2:42

Jarhead: Official Clip - We're Going Home!

2:58

Jarhead: Official Clip - Demotion & Latrine Duty

2:38

Jarhead: Official Clip - Bugle Try Out

2:12

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Synopsis

In the late 1980s, Anthony Swofford (Jake Gyllenhaal) enlists as a Marine, training in boot camp under a sadistic drill instructor. Swofford undertakes a sniper course headed by Staff Sgt. Sykes (Jamie Foxx) during this time, which is shortly before the advent of the Gulf War. When the United States becomes involved, Swofford is shipped out, along with his spotter, Alan Troy (Peter Sarsgaard). Facing uncertainty each day -- about the war and home -- the soldiers try to maintain composure.

Director: Sam Mendes
Producer: Lucy Fisher, Sam Mendes, Douglas Wick
Screenwriter: William Broyles Jr.
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Red Wagon Entertainment, Neal Street Productions
Rating: R (Some Violent Images|Pervasive Language|Strong Sexual Content)
Genre: War, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 4, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $62.6M
Runtime: 2h 3m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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