K-19: The Widowmaker

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K-19: The Widowmaker

PG-13

2002

2h 18m

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

59%

Tomatometer

170 Reviews

53%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Follows Captain Alexi Vostrikov (Harrison Ford) who, at the height of the Cold War, is ordered to take over command of the nuclear missile submarine K-19, pride of the Soviet Navy. His assignment: Prepare the K-19 for sea and take her out on patrol -- no matter what the cost. But problems with the K-19 arise that may lead to a core meltdown and explosion that will certainly kill all aboard, and possibly trigger a nuclear war. Vostrikov must choose between his orders and the lives of his men.

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Critics Consensus

A gripping drama even though the filmmakers have taken liberties with the facts.

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Stanley Kauffmann

The New Republic

Why did movie moguls think that this was the right moment for a tale of unflinching loyalty to the Soviet Union?

Mar 5, 2013

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Jason Best

BBC.com

The movie's true hero -- or heroine -- is Bigelow, who once again proves herself one of the very best action directors around.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 26, 2002

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Rex Reed

Observer

What could have been a movie packed with historical significance and nail-gnawing underwater tension ends up little more than a lumbering public-service announcement for the human spirit.

Jul 25, 2002

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Not to be confused with K-9, K-2 or even K-PAX, the fact-based K-19 is nevertheless strictly DOA and should be KO’d ASAP.

Rated: 2/4

Apr 2, 2024

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Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

Does a competent job of creating the same sense of creepy claustrophobia that made classic sub actioners like Das Boot, Crimson Tide and The Hunt For Red October so memorable.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 4, 2020

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John J. Puccio

Movie Metropolis

...takes its place among a small group of undersea motion pictures. Unfortunately, it takes its place at the end of the line.

Rated: 5/10

May 7, 2010

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mark g

I love Kathryn Bigilow, skilled director for sure. However, this is a lousy film. Melodramatic and sappy, it is really geared towards a simplistic audience that has an affinity for the USSR. And the accents cannot be ignored.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/06/25

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Audience Member

My go-to sub film. It has the authenticity and emotion, and grasps the viewers attention with a compelling story. The performances by all the cast are without flaw which adds to the atmosphere of being within a Soviet sub.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/09/25

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Rob A

An excellent cold war nuclear sub disaster flick, starring legends Harrison Ford, Liam Neeson and a young Peter Sarsgaard. It's loosely based on a true story and I've enjoyed it multiple times. I felt the score, especially towards the end, was a bit over the top - but honestly, this film is underrated. K-19 The Widow Maker was a gripping, emotional thriller.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/28/25

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Mwalimu J

Saw for the 2nd? 3rd? time today. Definitely the ratings are way off.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/09/25

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Korra N

An underrated slow-burning thriller based on a true story, Kathryn Bigelow's WWII drama is fraught & tense, with some great performances & stunning visuals.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/02/25

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Akobundu P

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/28/25

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Kathryn Bigelow

Director

Harrison Ford

Captain Alexi Vostrikov

Liam Neeson

Captain Mikhail Polenin

Peter Sarsgaard

Reactor Officer Vadim Radtchenko

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Marshal Zelentsov

John Shrapnel

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Synopsis

Follows Captain Alexi Vostrikov (Harrison Ford) who, at the height of the Cold War, is ordered to take over command of the nuclear missile submarine K-19, pride of the Soviet Navy. His assignment: Prepare the K-19 for sea and take her out on patrol -- no matter what the cost. But problems with the K-19 arise that may lead to a core meltdown and explosion that will certainly kill all aboard, and possibly trigger a nuclear war. Vostrikov must choose between his orders and the lives of his men.

Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Producer: Kathryn Bigelow, Sigurjon Sighvatsson, Christine Whitaker, Edward S. Feldman
Screenwriter: Christopher Kyle
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: National Geographic Society, Palomar, First Light Production, New Regency Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Disturbing Images)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 19, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $35.2M
Runtime: 2h 18m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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