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Kill the Messenger

2014·Movie
1h 52min·R
68
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb6.9Metacritic607.1Rotten Tomatoes76%69%
IMDb6.9Metacritic607.1Rotten Tomatoes76%69%

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No stream option in US yet.

Kill the Messenger fingerprint

High energy, strong craft, light on feelings.

Energy

Tense and thrilling

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension8
  • Adrenaline7
  • Fast Pace6

Heart

Melancholic and cathartic

  • Melancholy7
  • Catharsis7
  • Pathos6

Humor

Some dark humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Dark Humor5
  • Satire & Parody4
  • Wit & Wordplay3

World

Politics, a real life story, and society

  • World Immersion7
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout direction, performances, and storytelling

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Intrigue9
  • Direction8
  • Acting8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsSolo WatchThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You need an uplifting moodYou want to half-watch while scrolling

Find more like it

Suspense moviesPsychological movies

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Can you keep a national secret?

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.
Biographical DramaInvestigative JournalismPolitical ConspiracyCIANicaraguaCocaineSmear CampaignTragedyBased on True Story

Crew

Directed by:
Michael Cuesta
Written by:
Peter Landesman, Gary Webb, Nick Schou
Produced by:
Jeremy Renner, Avy Kaufman, Scott Stuber
Composed by:
Nathan Johnson

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Kill the Messenger

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Kill the Messenger legally?

You can watch it free with ads on YouTube Free. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Kill the Messenger worth watching?

68
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 68/100 (IMDb 6.9, Rotten Tomatoes 76%, and Metacritic 60). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Kill the Messenger rated?

RDrug useStrong languageSuicide themes

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: drug use, strong language, and suicide themes.

How long is Kill the Messenger?

1 h 52 min

Kill the Messenger runs 1 h 52 min.

Is Kill the Messenger based on a true story?

Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.

Do critics and audiences agree on Kill the Messenger?

Critics68
Audiences70

Yes. Critics average 68 and audiences 70 out of 100, so both groups see Kill the Messenger much the same way.

Was Kill the Messenger a box office hit?

Budget$5 million
Box office$5 million

Roughly broke even. It cost about $5 million to make and earned $5 million worldwide, 1.0 times its budget.

What language is Kill the Messenger in?

EnglishSpanish

It was made in English, with some Spanish. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Kill the Messenger?

44ADALATAUBEBRBYCACHCLCODEDKEE+30

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Kill the Messenger in 44 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Kill the Messenger use?

CIA Evil, FBI GoodDriven to SuicideDowner EndingDude, Where's My Respect?Halfway Plot SwitchThe Hero DiesIntrepid ReporterNo Good Deed Goes Un Punished"The Reason You Suck" Speech

TV Tropes lists 9 storytelling tropes for Kill the Messenger, including CIA Evil, FBI Good, Driven to Suicide, Downer Ending.