Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) | Release Date: April 21, 2023
7.0
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 101 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
68
Mixed:
23
Negative:
10
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
6
JackFlynnMay 21, 2023
You've seen this before ... borrows action scenes from Lone Survivor, plot elements from Zero Dark Thirty. It feels competent, nothing more. The acting was OK-ish. I was aware that it had a story I wanted to like and get drawn into, but itYou've seen this before ... borrows action scenes from Lone Survivor, plot elements from Zero Dark Thirty. It feels competent, nothing more. The acting was OK-ish. I was aware that it had a story I wanted to like and get drawn into, but it just fell flat.… Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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4
yanis_rtxMay 13, 2023
Interesting plot drown in bad cinematography, boring music, unrealistic action scenes and unconsistent pace. Guy Ritchie, welcome to the direct to streaming world !
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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5
bertobellamyJul 24, 2023
Ah, the good ol' military propaganda that justifies invading a country. Yes, this is entertaining, but Guy Ritchie didn't even bother to be subtle with this white savior film.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
Brent_MarchantApr 23, 2023
As the two-decade-long war in Afghanistan relentlessly raged on, the US military hired scores of locals to serve as interpreters in the conflict against the Taliban, a risky proposition for these Afghan nationals, given that they were seen byAs the two-decade-long war in Afghanistan relentlessly raged on, the US military hired scores of locals to serve as interpreters in the conflict against the Taliban, a risky proposition for these Afghan nationals, given that they were seen by their countrymen as traitors. In exchange for their services, however, they were promised a hefty reward – visas to emigrate to America for themselves and their families. Nevertheless, this promise often came with undisclosed strings, particularly lengthy delays for issuing the documents, leaving the interpreters in the lurch as they anxiously awaited their flight to freedom. Their story is the subject of “Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant,” an amalgamation of the interpreters’ wartime experiences told through the tale of a heroic translator, Ahmed (Dar Salim), who rescues his commanding officer, Sgt. John Kinley (Jake Gyllenhaal), under perilous conditions but who is subsequently forced into hiding after his story receives widespread attention and makes him a highly valued Taliban target. When Sgt. Kinley is safely at home and hears what happened to his colleague, he vows to return to Afghanistan to secure refuge for the man who saved his life. Movies about extricating those trapped behind enemy lines are common in the annals of filmdom, and this offering is very much cut from the same cloth (save for the venue), so there’s not much that really differentiates it from comparable offerings. However, the film’s superbly executed second half – a far cry better than its overlong, sometimes-tedious first hour – helps to make up for this. The back end also features far better writing than what’s found in the trite, corny war movie dialogue of the opening act. And it helps that the picture has a superb score and is beautifully shot. It’s just unfortunate that the two halves of this release aren’t on par with one another, as that would have made for a much better film, even with a narrative as fundamentally formulaic as this one. I must admit that I’m always somewhat skeptical about movies that have an individual’s name at the beginning of the title (makes me think the studio/distributor is trying too hard to sell it, based on the individual’s reputation than the quality of the work at hand), and I suppose I should have maintained more of that skepticism where this film is concerned. While “The Covenant” is far from a bad picture, it certainly could have been better (or at least better balanced), and then it wouldn’t have had to rely on the director’s name at the top of the marquee to coax viewers into the theater.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
Mauro_LanariJun 21, 2023
(Mauro Lanari)
Ritchie steps out of his comfort zone and very professionally films an epic and dramatic buddy movie centered on the value of friendship. It would have been a theme congenial to John Milius (does anyone still remember him?),(Mauro Lanari)
Ritchie steps out of his comfort zone and very professionally films an epic and dramatic buddy movie centered on the value of friendship. It would have been a theme congenial to John Milius (does anyone still remember him?), while the peculiar style of the dyslexic director and Madonna's former husband is less so.
PS: Jake with a beard doesn't grow hair on his neck while he's injured. A superfluous detail like the protagonists who always wake up already wearing makeup.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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5
Dee-Jay_DeliAug 5, 2023
Well-acted and shot, but the "streaming" look & lighting really ruin the immersion.

Unfortunately you can tell this was almost entirely shot inside a movie set.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
s33c33Jul 1, 2023
Not so bad. But not so great as well. If you have an itch to watch a military action movie this may scratch the itch but is somewhat forgettable. The context though is something people may have forgotten about and should remember.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
UncleWillardMay 10, 2023
I have to say I was disappointed in Covenant. It played as one of those fictionalized documentaries you see on the Military Channel or A&E. Jake Gyllenhaal (does he have something wrong with his voice? He sounded all breathy) seemed to haveI have to say I was disappointed in Covenant. It played as one of those fictionalized documentaries you see on the Military Channel or A&E. Jake Gyllenhaal (does he have something wrong with his voice? He sounded all breathy) seemed to have phoned it in as did the Middle Eastern actor (Ahmed). It just seems I've seen this before and multiple times. I can appreciate the story it's telling, but I'd much rather see a documentary about this. The fictionalized account didn't really add anything. It was a competent action movie and I'm a big Guy Ritchie fan.… Expand
4 of 5 users found this helpful41
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6
MystichydraMay 13, 2023
It's ultimately disappointing. The screenplay was just awful, and a good amount of the actors did poorly. It's also largely unbelievable, and the 'brotherhood' or whatever they are trying to portray felt really contrived. Lame and clicheIt's ultimately disappointing. The screenplay was just awful, and a good amount of the actors did poorly. It's also largely unbelievable, and the 'brotherhood' or whatever they are trying to portray felt really contrived. Lame and cliche lines like 'you never buy me dinner first', just sound like a first draft. The soundtrack is probably the best thing about this movie. Awesome string work, and it created more tension than any visual thing did. Guy Ritchie has obviously made some classics. But don't forget, this is also the same writer and director who made Swept Away.… Expand
2 of 4 users found this helpful22
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