Megan Leavey

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2:20

Megan Leavey

PG-13

Released Jun 9, 2017

1h 56m

War

Biography

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

104 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

The true life story of Megan Leavey, a young Marine corporal whose unique discipline and bond with a military combat dog saved many lives during her deployment in Iraq. Assigned to clean up the K-9 unit after a disciplinary hearing, Leavey starts to identify with Rex, a particularly aggressive dog that she trains. Over the course of their service, Megan and Rex complete more than 100 missions until an improvised explosive device injures both, putting their fates in jeopardy.

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Critics Consensus

Megan Leavey honors its real-life subjects with a sensitive, uplifting drama whose honest emotion more than makes up for its mild approach to the story.

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Stephanie Abraham

Bitch Media

The film's gendered Orientalist narrative uses Iraq, its people and the US-led war there as the backdrop for a story about a white woman soldier finding herself and learning to love through her combat canine.

Feb 18, 2021

Full Review

Chris Stuckmann

ChrisStuckmann.com

A heartfelt and touching film featuring one of Kate Mara's best performances.

Rated: B+

Jul 7, 2017

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Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

Kate Mara is raw and riveting in the title role, a marine who ends up in combat in Iraq with a bomb-sniffing German shepherd. It's a true story that earns your tears.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 19, 2017

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Michael Clark

Epoch Times

The film teaches, educates, enlightens, and entertains, and does so in a straightforward manner while imparting lessons on personal responsibility and sacrifice. Work hard, stay focused, believe in a noble cause and it's likely you will succeed.

Rated: 4.5

Apr 15, 2022

Full Review

Jeff Mitchell

Art House Film Wire

Mara splits her time between nail-biting sequences and Megan's emotional growth through her relationship with Rex, a four-legged soldier. An inspiring movie based on two real-life U.S. Marines. Bring tissues.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 19, 2022

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Hosea Rupprecht

Pauline Media Studies

What I appreciated about Megan's story was how loving Rex enabled her to get through her suffering.

Aug 25, 2021

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Susannah Z

I'm definitely inspired by true stories and this movie did not disappoint. What an amazing story (great script writing and casting not sure if they embellished) but I really enjoyed it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/21/25

Full Review

Jennifer M

What a great movie. Developed the characters well, great acting, and excellent producing. There were enough humorous parts to lighten the mood, all while staying true to the reality of deployment and post war struggles. As a dog person...the only flaw I did sense (and it wasn't to a large degree) was that, at times, it seemed she was not strongly bonded with the dog, or that she was not strong enough personality-wise to be his handler. Overall a solid watch, well worth my time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/02/25

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Phillip D

Never got me to believe in what I was watching. Had to turn it off.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/28/25

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Alex H

A pretty good film regarding the true story of a marine soldier and her dog.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/23/25

Full Review

SkyRo P

Released in 2017, "Megan Leavey" tells the inspiring true story of a determined and resilient military woman as she dedicates herself to serving and protecting her country. Her commitment is evident from the moment she enlists in the armed forces. This film is a remarkable piece of storytelling, skillfully directed with a focus on Megan's journey without overwhelming the audience with excessive dialogue or unnecessary subplots. Gabriella Cowperthwaite’s direction allows the narrative to shine through, keeping the audience engaged with its authenticity. Kate Mara, an actress who often flies under the radar, delivers a standout performance in this film. While she may not always be front of mind, her portrayal in "Megan Leavey" is powerful and memorable. Her earlier work in the "Fantastic Four" may have clouded her talent in the eyes of some, but in this role, she truly shines. Mara draws the audience in, making them feel every emotion throughout her character's journey. The initial choice of her for the lead may have seemed unconventional, yet it ultimately proves to be a brilliant decision, showcasing her skills as an exceptional actress. The screenplay deserves recognition as well, as it complements the director's vision. It avoids the pitfalls of overcomplicated dialogue and extraneous storylines, concentrating instead on the core narrative of Megan’s experiences as a soldier. This focus makes "Megan Leavey" a film worth watching repeatedly, each viewing revealing more depth to the story. I wholeheartedly recommend this powerful film, which captures the essence of courage and loyalty beautifully.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/15/25

Full Review

KC

Great movie and true at that.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/10/24

Full Review

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Gabriela Cowperthwaite

Director

Kate Mara

Megan Leavey

Edie Falco

Jackie

Ramón Rodríguez

Cpl. Matt Morales

Tom Felton

Sergeant Andrew Dean

Damson Idris

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Megan Leavey: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

The true life story of Megan Leavey, a young Marine corporal whose unique discipline and bond with a military combat dog saved many lives during her deployment in Iraq. Assigned to clean up the K-9 unit after a disciplinary hearing, Leavey starts to identify with Rex, a particularly aggressive dog that she trains. Over the course of their service, Megan and Rex complete more than 100 missions until an improvised explosive device injures both, putting their fates in jeopardy.

Director: Gabriela Cowperthwaite
Producer: Mickey Liddell, Pete Shilaimon, Jennifer Monroe
Screenwriter: Pamela Gray, Annie Mumolo, Tim Lovestedt
Distributor: Bleecker Street Media
Production Co: LD Entertainment, Calle Cruzada, Liddell Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Suggestive Material|Language|Thematic Elements|War Violence)
Genre: War, Biography, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 9, 2017, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 10, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $13.4M
Runtime: 1h 56m

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