Kill the Messenger

Focus Features | Release Date: October 10, 2014

7.1	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 95 Ratings

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JE61Oct 11, 2014

A complicated and thought provoking film. Perhaps a bit too complicated to entertain the average viewer. The film had strong acting performances but suffered from trying to do too much in 90 minutes. Honestly, this would have been betterA complicated and thought provoking film. Perhaps a bit too complicated to entertain the average viewer. The film had strong acting performances but suffered from trying to do too much in 90 minutes. Honestly, this would have been better as a documentary then a dramatization. Still, I give it a positive review. Also, New York Post "reviewer", Kyle Smith, didn't like it (probably only watched half of it or played Angry Birds during it )...and that's always a strong reason to see it.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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MichelleOOct 10, 2014

This is a really important movie. It is an interesting, well-acted, absorbing movie experience. More important, it tells the true story of the U.S. government actually facilitating the sale of cocaine in U.S. cities to assist aThis is a really important movie. It is an interesting, well-acted, absorbing movie experience. More important, it tells the true story of the U.S. government actually facilitating the sale of cocaine in U.S. cities to assist a right-wing group of Central Americans trying to overthrow a progressive Nicaraguan government. Why do we have thousands of scared immigrant children and dozens of messed up U.S. cities? A good portion of the reason lies in the abominable U.S. policies partially revealed in this movie.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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quincytheodoreMar 4, 2015

Kill The Messenger is a harrowing biography of a journalist who goes dangerously far to uncover secrets. It brings emotional struggles as Jeremy Renner aptly portrays the protagonist. However, for the near two hours playtime, the paceKill The Messenger is a harrowing biography of a journalist who goes dangerously far to uncover secrets. It brings emotional struggles as Jeremy Renner aptly portrays the protagonist. However, for the near two hours playtime, the pace occasionally stutters and even though it has some particularly exceptional sequences, the film might lose momentum before reaching those moments.

A story of far reaching consequence lands on Gary Webb (Jeremy Renner), as a man with integrity he decides to follow this lead. It takes him to many different places and people, ultimately he begins to realize a connection between drug epidemic and CIA. After he publishes the story, he must face rifts on his career as well as personal life.

This is a very touchy subject, thankfully for the film Jeremy Renner plays the part admirably. He proves that he can deliver solid performance without guns or arrows. Much of the movie relies on his acting, Renner captures the intense trial his character must go through. From his doubt to keep his conviction, the external threat and also problems within his family.

There are a few kinks in the screenplay. For a movie that needs to keep the tension going, the scenes are sometimes fragmented. It switches a bit too quickly when a scene just gains momentum, or there's not enough continuity to keep its excitement in consistent flow. That being said, there's also a few great moments, especially towards the latter half, but they feel detached.

While problem in pacing persists, the sensitive material and good delivery by Jeremy Renner will keep the audience invested on trial and tribulation of the character.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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wornoutspinesMar 17, 2015

If you haven’t read up on the story or don’t know the name Gary Webb, the title of the movie, the premise, and Jeremy Renner’s name might lead you to think that you’re in for a Jason Borne style action thriller but it’s not. Kill theIf you haven’t read up on the story or don’t know the name Gary Webb, the title of the movie, the premise, and Jeremy Renner’s name might lead you to think that you’re in for a Jason Borne style action thriller but it’s not. Kill the Messenger is a biopic but one that centers on a particular point of Gary Webb’s (Renner) life and like most biopics it has its moments.

The backdrop of the story is smoothly set up through clips and newspaper articles that gives you a broad context of the story you’re walking into. The contextual elements are there but the movie focuses on the man, Gary Webb. You get to know him through his work and family before you dive into the story that will forever change his life. It's a slow built up, the tension rises with every piece of information he uncovers but at the same time you can feel this dark cloud looming on the edges and instinctively know that it's all going to crumble.

Yes, there’s tension and an undeniable gut feeling that it won’t be all sunshine and unicorns at the end but the way done makes it bearable. The movie could have more exciting sensationalizing everything but Kill the Messenger is character driven, it's Gary Webb's point of view, and Gary is a reporter so the film just lays down the facts as a reporter would. Therefore when everything crumbles the only perspective you get is Gary's. You can see repercussions his investigative journalism had on his life, with constant contextual hints showing how his article affected everybody else, how it blew up.

Renner’s character and his story takes center stage in the simplest matter of fact way possible and the cast does a great job of infusing life to it. Jeremy Renner is spot on as the investigative journalist that get consumed by his article. The rest of the cast is just as believable in showing how hard it was in the mid-90s to put to light a controversial issues.

Kill the Messenger really is a tribute film to Gary Webb, it tells his side of the story and walks you through what he went through and by the end you’re left to decide what you want to believe, leaving you to dig for information yourself.

@wornoutspines… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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Brent_MarchantOct 17, 2014

A taut, well-crafted, fact-based thriller with excellent performances by Jeremy Renner and a fine supporting cast. With elements reminiscent of "All the President's Men" and "Fair Game," the film effectively exposes the nefarious tactics usedA taut, well-crafted, fact-based thriller with excellent performances by Jeremy Renner and a fine supporting cast. With elements reminiscent of "All the President's Men" and "Fair Game," the film effectively exposes the nefarious tactics used by those who have much to lose as a result of their reprehensible transgressions -- and the unfortunate, sometimes tragic effects they have on everyone touched by such scurrilous events.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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NerdConsultantMar 13, 2015

At times the film does feel thematically confused, but eventually it gets everything in order and it may not be a wholly uplifting film, but it doesn’t detract from the fact that the film has excellent performances, especially from JeremyAt times the film does feel thematically confused, but eventually it gets everything in order and it may not be a wholly uplifting film, but it doesn’t detract from the fact that the film has excellent performances, especially from Jeremy Renner and it has a well told story that more people should widely know. Whilst I think this film was slightly too long, the plot was incredibly engaging and I definitely think it will please a lot of the people, just don’t expect this film to have an uplifting ending! Gary Webb’s work deserves to be known across a wide audience. it's a really underated Gem… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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hrhkennethNov 5, 2014

if you like a real life, documentary type of movie that entertains you...Kill The Messenger is for you. based on true life facts of how the government looked away, and in a covert way, condoned the flow of crack and other drugs into our innerif you like a real life, documentary type of movie that entertains you...Kill The Messenger is for you. based on true life facts of how the government looked away, and in a covert way, condoned the flow of crack and other drugs into our inner cities at the expense of a generation of kids, and ruined lives filled with heartache, only to fund the contras... this was a movie you that will have you come away, further enlightened, and somewhat in awe the way the government and media work. Directed by Michael Cuesta, Kill The Messenger will provide a great evening out... Not to be missed ! Well done.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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LizLemon44Oct 10, 2014

A very good movie elevated into something great thanks to a phenomenal performance from Jeremy Renner. It is painfully realistic, incredibly important. Highly recommended.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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raybiesJan 14, 2015

Excellent movie about a subject every American and for that matter ally of the USA should know. Acting was good and I found the movie engaging throughout its length.
If you like political thrillers you'll like this movie.
Just as an FYIExcellent movie about a subject every American and for that matter ally of the USA should know. Acting was good and I found the movie engaging throughout its length.
If you like political thrillers you'll like this movie.
Just as an FYI poor Gary Webb ended up dead with 2 gunshot in a "suicide". Wikipedia it.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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SpangleJun 15, 2016

Kill the Messenger is a passionate and truly tragic tale of how the media and the CIA murdered a man who exposed them for their egregious sins. A truly engaging and entertaining biopic, Kill the Messenger has a solid blend of drama andKill the Messenger is a passionate and truly tragic tale of how the media and the CIA murdered a man who exposed them for their egregious sins. A truly engaging and entertaining biopic, Kill the Messenger has a solid blend of drama and thrills through its story, even if it is a conventional biopic. Jeremy Renner turns in a very good performance here. Director Michael Cuesta does a good job balancing the facts and the entertainment and the end result is a largely tight film with just a few scenes that are more of the filler variety. Additionally, it is a really passionate film that will really make you mad if you let it. I watched it a day ago as of writing this and I am still fuming at the injustice of it all. Overall, Kill the Messenger is a solid film that follows the biopic narrative arc, but is a really good example of how to make real life compelling.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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ApolscJun 2, 2015

When i see the critic s score of this movie i feel the same as when i saw Fury or Philomena. They dislike it for political reasons. That said, i think this is a good movie, Jeremy Renner makes a great performance and shows he has range to doWhen i see the critic s score of this movie i feel the same as when i saw Fury or Philomena. They dislike it for political reasons. That said, i think this is a good movie, Jeremy Renner makes a great performance and shows he has range to do different roles.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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DawdlingPoetNov 22, 2021

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 itThis 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.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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