Hello Destroyer

2016

1 hr. 50 min.

Drama

List

100%

11 Reviews

Tomatometer

72%

50+ Ratings

Audience Score

A junior hockey player's life is shattered by an in-game act of violence. Desperate to find a means of reconciliation and a sense of identity, his personal journey ends up illuminating troubling systemic issues around violence.

Read More

Read Less

Audience Member

A dreadful, slow and boring film. The worst i've seen in a long time.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A dark and beautiful story on the realities that outdated stereotypes and forced expectations creates. An honest and emotional journey I would recommend to anyone.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This movie poorly depicted the life of a junior hockey player in Canada. The bizarre idea that a young jr hockey player would be suspended indefinitely by his own team (not the league) then abandoned and shamed by his team, billets, fans and family for an accidental hit from behind, as well as being taken to court is extremely unrealistic and actually confusing to watch as a former jr hockey player in Canada. I do think that the movie had potential as far as what life after hockey can be like for a young 20 year old that isn't moving on to pro hockey but with a more realistic and truthful hockey storyline this movie could have been good and really spread awareness about the sometimes harsh adjustment to life after hockey.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

Full Review

john s

HOCKEY NIGHTMARE IN CANADA Damp, grey concrete hallways lit by flickering, greenish fluorescent tubes, are the sad and depressing norms of junior hockey league arenas everywhere. They are but a rudimentary channel for the mindless cattle to shuffle to the icy killing field. As hockey movies go, this is no "Mighty Ducks". Filmed in dungeon hues, where nothing, and I mean nothing is ever presented in a good light, "Hello Destroyer" is a tough, brooding, slow, depressing slice of adolescent life, and perhaps, the most truthful film on the subject ever made. Anyone who's ever been privy to a dressing room screaming tirade from a demented coach will know. There's very little spoken - only groaned and grunted - as is customary in the Canadian junior leagues that is littered with hopeful, but immature athletes. Scholastics are not high priority here. Sporting a prisoner of war hair crop courtesy of the customary hazing ritual, Tyson Burr is a tough rookie, elbowing his way into the macho club clique, and stumbling quietly and dutifully through the only life he knows. Very few actually succeed at hockey, and Tyson's path is derailed quickly after an unfortunate on ice incident. Hung out to dry by his team, the sensitive teen's career, and life, now hang in the air. "Hello Destroyer" pulls no punches in dissecting the ruthless nature of a win at all cost sport, the pressure of dead-end careers in small town Canada, and the harsh barriers in an old school family that struggles with communication. A spellbinding and very important film. - hipCRANK

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Kevan Funk

Director

Jared Abrahamson

Tyson Burr

Ben Cotton

Bill Davis

Paul McGillion

Ron Burr

Sara Canning

Wendy Davis

Ian Tracey

Coach Aaron Weller

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

29%

78%

Destined

TRAILER

for Destined

83%

40%

A Moving Image

86%

56%

A Woman, a Part

TRAILER

for A Woman, a Part

17%

57%

The Healer

83%

45%

Across the Line

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Adam Nayman

Cinema Scope

[Hello Destroyer] is constructed sturdily enough to stand up to any forthcoming scrutiny, and maybe also built to last in a way that most feature debuts simply are not.

Sep 28, 2017

Full Review

Brent McKnight

Seattle Times

Director Kevan Funk presents an occasionally powerful, if slow-moving and overlong meditation on violence and toxic masculinity.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jun 15, 2017

Full Review

Peter Howell

Toronto Star

The tragic clich of the heroic hockey enforcer is explored with art and impact in this powerful feature debut by Vancouver writer/director Kevan Funk.

Rated: 3.5/4

Mar 10, 2017

Full Review

Anne Brodie

What She Said

Devastating and powerfully graceful.

Jan 24, 2020

Full Review

Nathanael Hood

Audiences Everywhere

Hello Destroyer is an essential piece of contemporary Canadian cinema.

Rated: A

Dec 27, 2018

Full Review

Di Golding

Dear Cast and Crew

Hello Destroyer reminds us of a sad truth; for some players, there are no glory days.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 7, 2018

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

A junior hockey player's life is shattered by an in-game act of violence. Desperate to find a means of reconciliation and a sense of identity, his personal journey ends up illuminating troubling systemic issues around violence.

Director: Kevan Funk
Executive Producer: Trish Dolman, Christine Haebler
Screenwriter: Kevan Funk
Production Co: Type One, Tabula Dada Productions
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 16, 2019