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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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

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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

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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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Mike M

not a complicated movie, but definitely pulls some heart strings, especially if you're a dog lover

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/04/24

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Michael A

Brilliant, touching tribute to the Marines K9 unit. Kate Mara plays Megan in this touching movie. She nailed it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/29/24

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Jonathan K

On my first watch of the movie, I think the story is kind of cliche to other dog/military movies. The story pacing went too fast like it had 1.5× story speed. Arguably, the worst thing in the movie is the cinematography. Throughout the entire movie, there was a constant camera shake with every single shot and movement. I don't think the camera shake had a purpose. It's like they used a handhold camera in the entire movie. Have they not heard about a tripod? Also. I realized Draco Malfoy was in the movie as the Sergeant. I didn't particularly care about any of the character due to a lack of a consistent or in fact any character development. The acting is subpar, and the dialogue is flatter than a flat earther's view on the earth. That is my honest review. The only good quality of the movie is that it has the ability to pull on a person's heartstrings and has a touching story.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

04/30/24

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D S

Kate Mara is great in this movie not to mention she looks 10 years younger than her actual age. Good true story movie! The bond between owner and dog is like no other. If you two are on the same wavelength it's like you know exactly what the other is thinking. Rex and Megan obviously had that connection and he saved her life on and off the battlefield. Glad they let her take him home to retire. True heroes.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/27/24

Full Review

Horror fan 4

I love movies based on true stories. Most of all movies involving dog's. I laughed and cried but most of all I really loved this story. Megan Leavey you and Rex are a true heroes and Thank you for your service. RIP Rex!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/19/24

Full Review

Kyle J

As a dog person I loved this story, and as a man (albeit old) I could not help being charmed by how cute Kate Mara looked in her marine uniform. The directing/acting was top notch. The story was great, although I could have lived without her cuddling with her boy friend. Am I just jealous, or was this thrown in to establish her orientation. Worth watching. Go for it!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/19/24

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

Lt. Michael Forman

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Megan Leavey: Trailer 1

2:20

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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: Liddell Entertainment, Calle Cruzada, LD 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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