Jarhead

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Jarhead

R

2005

1h 35m

War

Biography

History

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

60%

Tomatometer

196 Reviews

68%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

In the late 1980s, Anthony Swofford (Jake Gyllenhaal) enlists as a Marine, training in boot camp under a sadistic drill instructor. Swofford undertakes a sniper course headed by Staff Sgt. Sykes (Scott MacDonald) during this time, which is shortly before the advent of the Gulf War. When the United States becomes involved, Swofford is shipped out, along with his spotter, Alan Troy (Peter Sarsgaard). Facing uncertainty each day -- about the war and home -- the soldiers try to maintain composure.

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Critics Consensus

This first person account of the first Gulf War scores with its performances and cinematography but lacks an emotional thrust.

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Catherine Shoard

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Jan 16, 2018

Gyllenhaal can, in fact, act, so the blame must fall elsewhere for his dim performance, all topless tears and soulful voiceovers. The same goes for Peter Sarsgaard, Chris Cooper and Jamie Foxx, three good actors forced into contortions of theatrics.

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Leslie Felperin

Sight & Sound

Sep 28, 2006

Jarhead is simultaneously audaciously original and so mired in the clichés it knowingly acknowledges, sends up and honours that it has little new to say.

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Paul Byrnes

Sydney Morning Herald

Feb 10, 2006

It's another fine Gyllenhaal performance, but not really enough, because his suffering doesn't amount to a hill of Kuwaiti sand in the end.

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Joanne Laurier

World Socialist Web Site

Mar 5, 2021

The deep demoralization of the US forces flows ultimately from their soul-destroying assignment to conquer the world on behalf of a bankrupt imperialism.

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David Lamble

Bay Area Reporter

May 7, 2020

Jarhead aims to provide the eternal reason why young men are drawn to war, like moths to the flame. Swofford and director Sam Mendes stress that to most young GIs, even the most fervently created antiwar film is a fighting man's pornography.

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Micheal Compton

Bowling Green Daily News

Nov 19, 2019

B+

These soldiers wanted action, any action, just to feel justified for the life they left behind and Mendes does a great job of showing that anguish. The cast is excellent, too.

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John M

@RT49655564 6 days ago

If your a combat arms type, every scene's a laugh. The movie was made this way. Lots of sick humor. That's all. It's made for everyone with an infantry background.

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Grigory F

@RT54083442 Jul 10, 2026

It is very interesting and scary movie, story of guy with problems, honesty, I don’t know what to say, you need see this movie, WITHOUT CHILDREN!

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David H.

@DEHFL May 26, 2026

Two hours of my life that I’ll never get back. So many Great War movies have been made, this must have been a leftover script that nobody else wanted to film…and for good reason.

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Christian B.

@EL1TEcbom Feb 24, 2026

Great movie. If you want some action with an actual story, then this is what you are looking for.

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Yash B

@yashbansal Dec 15, 2025

"Jarhead" is a war film that is a unique experience. This is a movie that criticizes war with almost no violence. It is about the soldiers facing things like boredom as well as a lack of purpose. I think its psychological nature makes it a fascinating film. Jake Gyllenhaal does a fantastic job in the lead role, and the movie rides heavily on his subtle performance. By design, the movie is pretty slow and mundane at times, but I also think that works to its favor with the point it is trying to make. I also think it is shot really well by Roger Deakins. There are a few moments that are chilling to watch, and the film ultimately leaves an impact and makes me think a lot. Overall, it is a war film that is more of a drama than an action movie, but it's a truly unique experience that I was engaged by.

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Richard T

@RichardT Dec 5, 2025

While the movie aims to explore war and its impact on soldiers, it falls short in fully conveying either theme. The buildup is undermined by an underwhelming finale, and the underdeveloped characters make it difficult to form an emotional connection. However, the film's strengths—striking cinematography and engaging Marine banter—offer some redeeming qualities.

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Sam Mendes

Director

Jake Gyllenhaal

Anthony Swofford

Peter Sarsgaard

Alan Troy

Scott MacDonald

D.I. Fitch

Jamie Foxx

Staff Sgt. Sykes

Lucas Black

Chris Kruger

Jarhead: Official Clip - Training Death

1:16

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Jarhead: Official Clip - Swofford Loses It

3:01

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Jarhead: Official Clip - Stripping Soldiers

3:55

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Jarhead: Official Clip - Drill Sergeant Intro

2:36

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Jarhead: Official Clip - Permission to Take the Shot

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Jarhead: Official Clip - The Scorpion Fight

1:17

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Jarhead: Official Clip - Christmas Party Flares

2:42

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Jarhead: Official Clip - We're Going Home!

2:58

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Jarhead: Official Clip - Demotion & Latrine Duty

2:38

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Jarhead: Official Clip - Bugle Try Out

2:12

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Synopsis

In the late 1980s, Anthony Swofford (Jake Gyllenhaal) enlists as a Marine, training in boot camp under a sadistic drill instructor. Swofford undertakes a sniper course headed by Staff Sgt. Sykes (Scott MacDonald) during this time, which is shortly before the advent of the Gulf War. When the United States becomes involved, Swofford is shipped out, along with his spotter, Alan Troy (Peter Sarsgaard). Facing uncertainty each day -- about the war and home -- the soldiers try to maintain composure.

Director: Sam Mendes
Producer: Lucy Fisher, Douglas Wick
Screenwriter: William Broyles Jr.
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Red Wagon Entertainment, Neal Street Productions
Rating: R (Some Violent Images|Pervasive Language|Strong Sexual Content)
Genre: War, Biography, History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 4, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $62.6M
Runtime: 1h 35m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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