Kill the Messenger
Seen it?2014 | 112 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller, History
Weeknight WatchWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
With soft box office and little lasting buzz, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime-drama fans, anyone who likes to be kept guessing and history buffs. If you loved The Insider or Layer Cake, start here.
- The mood
- Tense, dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 52 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: expect drug use.
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.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsSolid
77% on Rotten Tomatoes, 60 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.6 out of 10
- AwardsBelow par
6 wins and 4 nominations from smaller awards and festivals
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$5 million worldwide on a $5 million budget
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 80K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
The Insider
Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed conspiracy drama.
Sicario: Day of the Soldado
Sunday Safe BetAnother CIA crime thriller, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
White Boy Rick Weeknight WatchAnother drug-world crime drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Layer Cake
Saturday SpecialAnother drug-world crime drama, and a Saturday Special.
All the Old Knives Sunday Safe BetAnother CIA thriller, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Michael Cuesta
- Jeremy RennerGary Webb
- Mary Elizabeth WinsteadAnna Simons
- Michael SheenFred Weil
- Ray LiottaJohn Cullen
- Robert PatrickRonny Quail
- Andy GarciaNorwin Meneses
- Paz VegaCoral Baca
- Michael Kenneth WilliamsRicky Ross
- Rosemarie DeWittSue Webb
- Tim Blake NelsonAlan Fenster