American Sniper

Critics Consensus

Powered by Clint Eastwood's sure-handed direction and a gripping central performance from Bradley Cooper, American Sniper delivers a tense, vivid tribute to its real-life subject.

72%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 292

84%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 153,265
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Movie Info

From director Clint Eastwood comes "American Sniper," starring Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle, the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history. But there was much more to this true American hero than his skill with a rifle. U.S. Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle is sent to Iraq with only one mission: to protect his brothers-in-arms. His pinpoint accuracy saves countless lives on the battlefield and, as stories of his courageous exploits spread, he earns the nickname "Legend." However, his reputation is also growing behind enemy lines, putting a price on his head and making him a prime target of insurgents. Despite the danger, as well as the toll on his family at home, Chris serves through four harrowing tours of duty in Iraq, becoming emblematic of the SEAL creed to "leave no man behind." But upon returning home, Chris finds that it is the war he can't leave behind. (C) Warner Bros
  • Rating:
    R (for strong and disturbing war violence, and language throughout including some sexual references)
  • Genre:
    Action & Adventure, Drama
  • Directed By:
    Clint Eastwood
  • Written By:
    Jason Hall
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Box Office:
    $274,377,268
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Warner Bros.

Cast

Bradley Cooper
as Chris Kyle
Sienna Miller
as Taya
Luke Grimes
as Marc Lee
Kyle Gallner
as Goat-Winston
Ben Reed
as Wayne Kyle
Elise Robertson
as Debbie Kyle
Luke Sunshine
as Young Jeff Kyle
Troy Vincent
as Pastor
Brandon Salgado Telis
as Bully
Keir O'Donnell
as Jeff Kyle
Marnette Patterson
as Sarah
Jason Hall
as Cowboy
Billy Miller
as Navy Recruiter
Leonard Roberts
as Instructor Rolle
Matthew Jason Walsh
as Instructor #2
Rey Gallegos
as Tony
Kevin Lacz
as Dauber
Jake McDorman
as Biggles
Cory Hardrict
as "D"/Dandridge
Eric Ladin
as "Squirrel"/Case
Brando Eaton
as Dapper Navy Guy
James Ryen
as PO Karnan
Jonathan Kowalsky
as 1st Marine #2
Shane Habberstad
as 1st Marine #1
Sammy Sheik
as Mustafa
Kevin Ryan
as Marine Viper #4
Evan Gamble
as JAG Officer #1
Benjamin Mathes
as JAG Officer #2
Tim Griffin
as Colonel Gronski
Luis Jose Lopez
as Sanchez
Brian Hallisay
as Capt. Gillespie
Erik Aude
as Thompson
Jad Mhidi Senhaji
as Omar
Navid Negahban
as Sheikh Al-Obodi
Fehd Benchemsi
as Terp #1
Eric Close
as DIA Agent Snead
Zack Duhame
as Contractor
Mido Hamada
as The Butcher
Kathe E. Mazur
as Dr. Hallerman
Sam Jaeger
as Navy Seal Lt. Martin
Chance Kelly
as Lt. Col Jones
Ryan Sadaghiani
as Son
Ayman Samman
as Father
Assaf Cohen
as Terp #2
Fahim Fazli
as Messianic Tribal Leader
Salah Salea
as Angry Neighbor
Hector Bucio
as PFC Alvarez
Aidan McGraw
as Young Colton
Jonathan Groff
as Young VetMads
Melissa J. Hayden
as Receptionist
Ferguson Reid
as Navy Doctor
Mark Thomason
as Chaplain
Pamela Denise Weaver
as Marc Lee's Mom
Amie Farrell
as Marc Lee's Wife
Terry Quay
as Firing Party NCO
James Dever
as Funeral Detail OIC
Tami Goveia
as Navy Nurse
Leon Charles Farmer
as Marine Gate Guard #1
Paul Meixner
as Marine Gate Guard #2
Victoria Reina Sigloch
as Marine Gate Guard #3
Joel Lambert
as Delta Sniper
Owain Yeoman
as Ranger One
Tony Nevada
as Recon Sniper
Brett Edwards
as Recon Gunner
Nick Salter
as Navy Dispatch Officer
Ricky Ryba
as Cobra Pilot
Greg Duke
as MRAP Gunner
Max Charles
as Colton
Jet Jurgensmeyer
as Colton's Friend
Madeleine McGraw
as McKenna
Elizabeth Schmidt
as Boy's Mom
Robert Clotworthy
as VA Doctor
Bryan Anderson
as Wynn's Friend
Jacob Schick
as Wynn
Wade White
as Veteran #1
Anthony Jennings
as Veteran #2
Vincent Selhorst-Jones
as Jones-Veteran at Truck
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Critic Reviews for American Sniper

All Critics (292) | Top Critics (55) | Fresh (210) | Rotten (82)

  • The film is so bland that it even minimizes its subject's claim to fame, the extraordinary number of people he shot after carefully sizing them up through the sights of a rifle.

    October 17, 2017 | Full Review…

    M. Faust

    The Public (Buffalo)
    Top Critic

  • American Sniper has a perspective that's recognizable from the classic Westerns Eastwood has long been associated with, both as an actor and a director. It's an existential critique of violent machismo that doubles as a celebration of violence.

    May 31, 2015 | Full Review…

    Dana Stevens

    Slate
    Top Critic

  • Eastwood makes the moral stakes almost nonexistent.

    May 29, 2015 | Full Review…

    David Edelstein

    New York Magazine/Vulture
    Top Critic

  • Clint Eastwood's American Sniper is an often lazy and somewhat hazy propaganda film about American heroism and hell in the Iraq War.

    May 29, 2015 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

    Bruce Kirkland

    Toronto Sun
    Top Critic

  • Although Cooper succeeds in resembling and sounding like the real Kyle, this isn't some cheap impersonation trick. Cooper gives maybe the best performance of his career.

    May 29, 2015 | Rating: 3.5/4

    Richard Roeper

    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic

  • Cooper looks the part, having bulked up for it, but he can't do anything with the blandness of the character the script has given him.

    January 23, 2015 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

    Sandra Hall

    Sydney Morning Herald
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (292)

Audience Reviews for American Sniper

  • Apr 10, 2017
    While there's a war story here (snd the pros and cons of war on either side of the aisle are addressed, nodded to) Eastwood focuses instead on the slow pervasive addiction of warfare, how nothing compares to the adrenaline rush and how subtly it begins to creep under one's skin. Cooper solidly portrays a dude who's got it all under control, until he realizes that he doesn't. Good film.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
  • Apr 01, 2017
    considering the calibre of other war films out there it wasnt very good. even just looking at clint eastwoods directorial catalogue the two about iwo jima were better.
    Sanity Assassin ! Super Reviewer
  • Nov 14, 2016
    Powerful story about a man's dedication to his country and what war can do to someone once they come home. Incredibly well acted by Bradley Cooper and the direction from Clint Eastwood sets this film above many of his others. Can be difficult to watch at times because war is very rough but this one is definitely recommended.
    Patrick W Super Reviewer
  • May 07, 2016
    "American Sniper" is a well-shot Drama/Action film of 2015. The plot to "American Sniper" is a man named "Chris Kyle" portrayed by "Bradley Cooper" is sent out as a sniper to fight in the Iraq war. He later meets a woman named "Taya" portrayed by "Sienna Miller" who he eventually marries and has children with. The movie just shows "Chris Kyle" as he goes on his tours as a sniper. The movie starts off with a dark opening of "Chris Kyle" about to shoot a child with a bomb. This scene is dark, but should not have been the movie's first scene. The majority of the movie is "Chris" going on his military tours. The film's climax is both thrilling and suspenseful. It makes a great scene and a great climax. The plot to the movie is good; the characters aren't really shown as well as they should have. "Bradley Cooper" has once again shown the audience how much of an incredible actor he is. The music in this movie captures the sadness, thrill and suspense of scenes. "Sienna Miller" is an okay actress but in this movie it doesn't fell as if she's putting in 100% . As mentioned before "American Sniper" was filmed beautifully, the action sequences are thrilling because of director "Clint Eastwood". One thing that is very noticeable is the "Blood Squibs", pretty much every person who gets shot has a blood squib. The "Blood Squibs" are made using C.G.I. there are some scenes that the C.G.I. is very noticeable. If you are a person who enjoys "Clint Eastwood's" latest movies then I recommend you watch "American Sniper" as it has good acting, great visuals and suspenseful music. Although the movie does have some issues some being characters being unnoticeable, less C.G.I. and better directing. I give 2014's "American Sniper" a 7/10.
    Steve G Super Reviewer
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