The Messenger (2009)
Film · Drama, Romance, War
Stream itif you appreciate raw, understated performances and a sombre, uncompromising look at the aftermath of war.
A heavy and emotionally raw exploration of grief and the burden of those who deliver bad news. It is a sombre, deeply human watch that demands emotional resilience from the viewer.
What it is about
Will Montgomery, a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant who has returned home from Iraq, is assigned to the Army’s Casualty Notification service. Montgomery is partnered with Captain Tony Stone, to give notice to the families of fallen soldiers. The Sergeant is drawn to Olivia Pitterson, to whom he has delivered news of her husband’s death.
Trailer
What The Messenger is like, and who it is for
What it is like to watch
Watching this film feels like observing a series of private, agonizing moments through a transparent screen. The pace is deliberate and rhythmic, mirroring the repetitive, harrowing duty of the protagonists. It avoids the bombast of typical military dramas, opting instead for a gritty, naturalistic intensity that resides in strained silence and sudden outbursts of grief. The camera work is intimate, often lingering on the faces of Ben Foster and Woody Harrelson as they navigate the procedural coldness required by their roles.
Who it is for, and who should skip it
This is essential viewing for those who value character studies and emotional authenticity over plot-driven action. It is a demanding watch that refuses to offer easy comfort, making it unsuitable for an evening of light entertainment. You should skip this if you find depictions of bereavement particularly distressing or if you are looking for a political critique of conflict. A notable caveat is the central romantic subplot, which some may find uncomfortable given the delicate circumstances of the characters' introduction.
The right evening for it
It suits a quiet, reflective evening when you are prepared to engage with difficult themes. It is a film for focused viewing, best watched alone or with someone who appreciates patient, adult storytelling.
Written by our AI from the facts on this page. It has opinions; it has not watched it.
How The Messenger leaves you
One line on the mood it ends on, with no plot. Some people count that as a spoiler, so it stays hidden until you ask.
Expect to feel wrung out and somberly thoughtful. It leaves a heavy, lingering sense of the quiet sacrifices made far from the battlefield and the fragile resilience of the human spirit.
How The Messenger ends
Spoilers. The whole ending, in a few lines. Nothing shows until you ask and then confirm.
After a night of intoxication and a confrontation with a man they had previously notified of a death, Will and Tony reconcile at Will’s apartment. Will confesses the trauma of losing a friend in Iraq and his own brushes with suicide, leading the stoic Tony to break down in tears. The next day, Will finds Olivia loading her belongings into a truck to move to Louisiana with her son. He expresses his intention to remain in the U.S. Army rather than being discharged.
The film ends with Olivia asking Will to come inside so he can provide his address in return for hers. This final interaction leaves the possibility of a future connection between the two open, as they find a mutual understanding through their shared experiences of loss and military life.
Summarised by our AI from the plot section of the Wikipedia article, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. This summary is shared under the same licence.
Stills
Images from TMDB.
If you like this, try
Manchester by the Sea (2016)
the same unflinching portrayal of grief and the difficulty of moving forward
Coming Home (1978)
the focus on the domestic psychological toll on returning veterans
In the Valley of Elah (2007)
a similarly quiet, mournful exploration of the military's impact on families
Suggested by our AI for what they share with this one. Linked titles have a page here; the rest are worth a search on the browse page.
The Messenger soundtrack
Music by Nathan Larson
Awards
The Messenger was nominated for Best Supporting Actor and Best Original Screenplay at the Oscars.
Oscars
- Nominated: Best Supporting Actor · Woody Harrelson · 2010
- Nominated: Best Original Screenplay · Alessandro Camon, Oren Moverman · 2010
3 other awards and nominationsShow
- Won: Grand prix du Festival de Deauville · 2009
- Won: Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male · 2009
- Won: National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
From Wikidata, which can miss some.
Questions people ask
- Is The Messenger a tearjerker film?
- Yes. On Watchlist Boosted it is tagged Tearjerker, with an authentic streak. A heavy and emotionally raw exploration of grief and the burden of those who deliver bad news. It is a sombre, deeply human watch that demands emotional resilience from the viewer.
- How long is The Messenger?
- The Messenger runs 113 min and was released in 2009.
- Where can I watch The Messenger in Australia?
- In Australia it is not included with any subscription service at the moment. JustWatch lists rental and purchase options.
- Was The Messenger nominated for any awards?
- The Messenger was nominated for Best Supporting Actor and Best Original Screenplay at the Oscars.
- Who composed the music for The Messenger?
- The music for The Messenger is by Nathan Larson.
- Is The Messenger worth watching?
- Stream it: if you appreciate raw, understated performances and a sombre, uncompromising look at the aftermath of war. IMDb users rate it 7.1 out of 10 from 38,238 votes, Rotten Tomatoes gives it 90%, Metacritic 77 and TMDB users 6.7.
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