Kill the Messenger

2014 "Can you keep a national secret?"
6.9| 1h52m| R| en| More Info
Released: 10 October 2014 Released
Producted By: Focus Features
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Info

A reporter becomes the target of a vicious smear campaign that drives him to the point of suicide after he exposes the CIA's role in arming Contra rebels in Nicaragua and importing cocaine into California. Based on the true story of journalist Gary Webb.

Genre

Drama, Thriller, Crime

Watch Online

Kill the Messenger (2014) is now streaming with subscription on Netflix

Director

Michael Cuesta

Production Companies

Focus Features

AD
AD

Watch Free for 30 Days

All Prime Video Movies and TV Shows. Cancel anytime.
Watch Now
Kill the Messenger Videos and Images
View All
  • Top Credited Cast
  • |
  • Crew

Kill the Messenger Audience Reviews

Hellen I like the storyline of this show,it attract me so much
Matrixston Wow! Such a good movie.
UnowPriceless hyped garbage
Smartorhypo Highly Overrated But Still Good
silver_rado2001 This all the beginning of the end of the free press in america with REAGAN don't think he killed himself
denis888 Well, what wiill I say here? Jeremy Renner is a very decent and strong actor, he can deliver depth and seriousness with a very gentle and exact touch. He sees to be a very tough and deep actor, yet when the film is of secondary rank and of dubious merit, the great cast (like in this movie, there is an outstanding array of talents, including Garcia, Patrick, Winstead among others). The story of Gary Webb's Dark Alliance seems like another swell sweet to crack, yet it ain't fly. All the potential of the plot was broken against wrong pacing, awkward dialog, too hasty jumps, and on top of that, too blatant a message which was not only shoved and placed into our mouths but also chewed and swallowed - Webb is The man, the official guys are evil. Too obvious a propaganda step. Abother drawback which spoiled it all was a very open and obvious mimicking Oliver Stone's Nixon style of narrative. Come on, guys we have seen it before, only he did it better than you.
The Movie Diorama Gary Webb, a journalist for a smallish news agency, stumbles upon a story which proves the CIA used cocaine profits from Central American drug smugglers to fund the Contra rebels. Never heard about it? Me neither, and in fact when the full report was published it was pushed aside by a scandal involving Bill Clinton. So, nearly a decade later, it's time to explore this intriguing story and fortunately this film is absolutely compelling. Yes, the film is about the CIA's involvement in Nicaragua, but beneath this is an individual who only desires to report the truth. Investigating a story with this much classification and secrecy results in the possibility of endangering both your career and family. But the biggest detriment, is to yourself. We see Gary Webb slowly degrade as the investigation takes its toll on him, he gradually becomes a broken man so transfixed on this job that he risks losing everything else. I found it to be utterly heartbreaking, yet rather relatable. This drama didn't need to include any thrills or chase sequences (in the fear that it becomes an action film), and yet director Michael Cuesta was bold enough to incorporate these tense pursuits. They worked. I was on edge. Why? Because Gary Webb was a well developed character. I felt for him and wanted him to succeed. This, for me, is Jeremy Renner's best performance. Forget about the supporting cast, this was his for the taking and he owned it. Emotional, physical and charismatic. Should've been nominated for more awards. The first half was a slow burner, but it picked up pace as soon as the story was established. The supporting cast were wasted, Winstead was probably the best out of them all but still underused. But due to a powerful central performance, this film was elevated to an enthralling level of intrigue. Oh, and the final screen texts detailing the aftermath? It crushed me inside. Gutted.
grantss "Some stories are just too true to tell"Based on a true story, a journalist at a minor newspaper, Gary Webb (played by Jeremy Renner), gets a tip off that a witness at trial of a drug dealer is a government informant, and is importing drugs into the US. After much investigation he uncovers evidence that suggests that the CIA are allowing US-backed rebels in Nicaragua to sell large quantities of drugs in the US in exchange for arms. Once he publishes the story, his world is turned upside down...An interesting story. Well written and directed, with solid performances from a star-studded cast (Jeremy Renner, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Oliver Platt, Andy Garcia, Michael Sheen, Robert Patrick, Paz Vega, Barry Pepper, Ray Liotta).Doesn't ever transcend "interesting" though. You really are never sure whether to view Webb as heroic or foolish (or even delusional, as this turns out to be one of the options). Plus, for a "true" story, with truth as its theme, there sure are many fabrications and embellishments for dramatic effect in the movie...Overall, worth a watch but don't take it too seriously or expect anything too profound.