Jarhead

R

Released Nov 4, 2005

2 hr. 3 min.

War

Drama

List

60%

199 Reviews

Tomatometer

68%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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Luke W

An important movie with an important milieu that was underwhelmingly done.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/06/24

Full Review

Shay C

Pretty dang good. One minor criticism is that nothing ever actually happened. I was just sort of waiting for something to kick off and it never did. Still, pretty tight film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/08/24

Full Review

Thanato p

This is not an action movie. This is not a fun time. This is a movie about how military service is bad for young men's mental health. A skillfully crafted bummer of a time. Not entertaining as much as evocative.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

10/10/23

Full Review

Connor D

Wow that was boring.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/28/23

Full Review

Mary M

Garbage. Unwarranted, exagerated stereotypes of the USMC.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/27/23

Full Review

Carine C

Funny witty sarcastic violent With the grandest of ambition, in the beginning, wars are inherently absurd, violent That movie shows the stark differences and changes occurring in soldiers , from being optimistic brash young men at the beginning of a war to being realistic, sad, demotivated after the war The narrator, sprinkles his thoughts on the powerful imagery… One of the most powerful moment of the movie, Jamie Foxx and Jake Gyllenhaal, talking facing a burning oil field …

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/31/23

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

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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 - Permission to Take the Shot

2:34

Jarhead: Official Clip - The Scorpion Fight

1:17

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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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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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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
Executive Producer: Bobby Cohen, Sam Mercer
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
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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