An Acceptable Loss

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2:12

An Acceptable Loss

R

Released Jan 18, 2019

1h 42m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

12%

Tomatometer

33 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

Libby Lamm is a former top national security adviser who, while working with a ruthless, steely-willed political veteran, signed off on a controversial military action that was supposed to end the war on terror. The problem: thousands died under false pretenses. Haunted by what she knows, Libby sets out to tell the truth, risking treason -- and her own life -- to expose a cover-up that stretches all the way to the top.

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Critics Consensus

An Acceptable Loss attempts a political thriller approach to a serious issue, but ends up sacrificing thrills -- as well as a satisfying story -- in the bargain.

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Andrea Gronvall

Chicago Reader

This speculative political thriller stumbles through most of its first hour.

Feb 19, 2020

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Peter Rainer

FilmWeek (LAist)

It's all pretty muddled and murky while not particularly interesting or well-directed.

Sep 17, 2019

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Richard Roeper

Chicago Sun-Times

Tika Sumpter demonstrates the screen presence of a true star, and Jamie Lee Curtis creates a monster so terrifying she'd have Michael Myers turning tail and running away.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 26, 2019

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Daniel Howat

Next Best Picture

It takes a strong voice to comment on massive issues like these. Ultimately, An Acceptable Loss never got these. It’s a subpar thriller with a couple of decent performances within, and not much more.

Rated: 4/10

May 19, 2022

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Tom Beasley

VultureHound

Shot in varying shades of grey throughout and with little kinetic energy, even as it moves into what it presumably believes to be pacy thriller territory.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 16, 2020

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EJ Moreno

Flickering Myth

As a fan of Jamie Lee Curtis, An Acceptable Loss is easy to recommend. But temper your expectations as the film has just as many praises as it does issues.

Jul 28, 2019

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Audience Member

Under an hour into this "suspenseful" movie, I fast-forwarded to get to the point. An hour of my life I'll never get back despite two of my favorite women actors' efforts.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This thriller movie was pretty good. Tika Sumpter, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ben Tavassoli, Jeff Hephner, Alex Weisman, and the rest of the cast did a pretty good job in this movie. The plot of the movie was dramatic, suspenseful, and tragic. It's about telling the truth anyway possible, even if it can be dangerous. If you haven't seen this movie yet, you may enjoy it. That's my opinion.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I like the film! A tale of right and wrong, trust and betrayal in a political world where risking of telling the truth is the ultimate punishment! Good performances by Tika Sumpter and Jamie Lee Curtis.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

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mauro l

Slow political thriller with few thrills and a not very convincing script, yet unfortunately really plausible. (Mauro Lanari)

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

In her past, she killed thousands to ensure the safety of America (along with Jamie Lee Curtis). Now haunted by the decision, she's under the watchful eye of Jamie as president and handwriting what really happened.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Why the drab, near black and white look? Why an incomprehensible story for half the film? Why watch such a flawed movie?

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

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Joe Chappelle

Director

Tika Sumpter

Libby

Jamie Lee Curtis

Rachel

Ben Tavassoli

Martin

Jeff Hephner

Adrian

Deanna Dunagan

Dr. Willa Sipe

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An Acceptable Loss: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Libby Lamm is a former top national security adviser who, while working with a ruthless, steely-willed political veteran, signed off on a controversial military action that was supposed to end the war on terror. The problem: thousands died under false pretenses. Haunted by what she knows, Libby sets out to tell the truth, risking treason -- and her own life -- to expose a cover-up that stretches all the way to the top.

Director: Joe Chappelle
Producer: Joe Chappelle, Colleen Griffen
Screenwriter: Joe Chappelle
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: CorradoMooncoin, Particular Crowd
Rating: R (Language and Brief Sexuality)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 18, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 18, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $30.2K
Runtime: 1h 42m

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