Kill the Messenger

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Kill the Messenger

R

Released Oct 10, 2014

1h 52m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

130 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Journalist Gary Webb (Jeremy Renner) happens upon a story that not only leads to the origins of America's crack epidemic but also alleges that the CIA was well-aware of the dealers who were smuggling cocaine into the U.S. and using the profits to arm Nicaraguan rebels. Despite warnings to halt his investigation, Webb keeps digging and uncovers a conspiracy with explosive implications. As a result of his findings, Webb's career, family and life come under threat.

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Critics Consensus

Kill the Messenger's potent fury over the tale of its real-life subject overrides its factual inaccuracies and occasional narrative stumbles.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Come for the acting, but not much else.

Rated: C-

Sep 1, 2017

Full Review

Mark Kermode

Observer (UK)

It's sporadically gripping but ultimately rather frustrating fare, leaving us intrigued enough by the conspiracy-theory backstory to want hard documentary evidence rather than mere dramatic licence.

Rated: 2/5

Mar 8, 2015

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Geoffrey Macnab

Independent (UK)

[Renner gives] is a rousing performance but the film is a little one-dimensional in its portrayal of Webb as a result.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 6, 2015

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Michael Clark

Epoch Times

The title of this movie couldn’t be more fitting. What happened to Webb was disgraceful, and went far in turning investigative journalists into a dying breed no amount of bloggers or slipshod Internet trolls could ever replace.

Rated: 4.5/5

Apr 2, 2024

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...compelling subject matter that’s employed to predominantly engaging (albeit somewhat forgettable) effect by Michael Cuesta...

Rated: 3/4

Nov 12, 2023

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

The fine technical merits of Cuesta's film, along with the standout performances by the cast, fail to create a sense of urgency about a subject that should have been a much larger scandal.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 18, 2022

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Jonas S

I think overall it’s a good telling of events but it also is kind of boring at parts. To quote a family member “there’s no action!”

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/17/24

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Gareth v

An interesting story here but the way in which it is told a lot of the dramatic and emotional pull in should have on it's viewers is lost.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/20/23

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Georgan G

The content of the plot is very memorable to those of us living through the era, but vital for younger people to know what our government has stooped to. The extent of the backlash from the feds continued until "the messenger" committed suicide.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

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Jelisije J

Based on a true story of a reporter who risks everything to expose the truth.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

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steve d

Fine film, but does nothing you haven't seen a million times before.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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isla s

This is a biographic crime drama film set in the murky world of drug trafficking. The fact it's based on a true story interested me and seeing how different people of varying authorities respond to what's discovered is interesting but it isn't by any means a fast-paced action type film. I suppose its fairly thoughtful. It's interesting to see who opens up to the journalist working on the story and how people attempt to manipulate things. The performances are pretty decent, with Jeremy Renner playing the main role of Gary Webb. This is a competent film, one that felt more poignant toward the end, hence my rating. I would recommend it, yes.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Michael Cuesta

Director

Jeremy Renner

Gary Webb

Rosemarie DeWitt

Sue Webb

Ray Liotta

John Cullen

Tim Blake Nelson

Alan Fenster

Barry Pepper

Russell Dodson

Kill the Messenger: Official Clip - What Happened in Cleveland

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Kill the Messenger: Official Clip - Too True to Tell

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Kill the Messenger: Official Clip - This Is About You

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Kill the Messenger: Official Clip - Interrogating Blandon

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Kill the Messenger: Official Clip - My Job Was To Tell the Truth

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Synopsis

Journalist Gary Webb (Jeremy Renner) happens upon a story that not only leads to the origins of America's crack epidemic but also alleges that the CIA was well-aware of the dealers who were smuggling cocaine into the U.S. and using the profits to arm Nicaraguan rebels. Despite warnings to halt his investigation, Webb keeps digging and uncovers a conspiracy with explosive implications. As a result of his findings, Webb's career, family and life come under threat.

Director: Michael Cuesta
Producer: Scott Stuber, Naomi Despres, Jeremy Renner
Screenwriter: Peter Landesman
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: Bluegrass Films
Rating: R (Language|Drug Content)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 10, 2014, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.4M
Runtime: 1h 52m

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