Only the Brave

Critics Consensus

Only the Brave's impressive veteran cast and affecting fact-based story add up to a no-frills drama that's just as stolidly powerful as the real-life heroes it honors.

87%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 155

91%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 12,518
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Movie Info

All men are created equal... then, a few become firefighters. Only the Brave, based on the true story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, is the heroic story of one unit of local firefighters that through hope, determination, sacrifice, and the drive to protect families, communities, and our country become one of the most elite firefighting teams in the country. As most of us run from danger, they run toward it--they watch over our lives, our homes, everything we hold dear, as they forge a unique brotherhood that comes into focus with one fateful fire.

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Cast

Josh Brolin
as "Supe" Eric Marsh
Miles Teller
as Brendan "Donut" McDonough
Jennifer Connelly
as Amanda Marsh
Jeff Bridges
as Duane Steinbrink
James Badge Dale
as Jesse Steed
Taylor Kitsch
as Chris MacKenzie
Andie MacDowell
as Marvel Steinbrink
Alex Russell
as Andrew Ashcraft
Ben Hardy
as Wade Parker
Scott Haze
as Clayton Whitted
Geoff Stults
as Travis "Turby" Turbyfill
Thad Luckinbill
as Scott Norris
Jake Picking
as Anthony "Baby-G" Rose
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Critic Reviews for Only the Brave

All Critics (155) | Top Critics (37) | Fresh (135) | Rotten (20)

  • It deserves credit for the way it tells a difficult story.

    Nov 30, 2017 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…

    Paul Byrnes

    Sydney Morning Herald
    Top Critic

  • ... a corny soup of macho clichés and empty theatrics...

    Nov 9, 2017 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

    Kevin Maher

    Times (UK)
    Top Critic

  • Long, tedious and not much fun at all. The ending is good though.

    Nov 8, 2017 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

    Elena Lazic

    Little White Lies
    Top Critic

  • Only the Brave feels like a film that would have made sense coming from Peter Berg or Michael Bay, but Kosinski mostly pulls back on the macho cheerleading to find something more objective, and ultimately, deeply emotional.

    Oct 24, 2017 | Full Review…

    Emily Yoshida

    New York Magazine/Vulture
    Top Critic

  • Though the movie, based on an article in GQ, by Sean Flynn, offers fascinating insights into the practical exertions and bureaucratic complications of firefighting, it places much greater emphasis on the protagonists' personal lives.

    Oct 23, 2017 | Full Review…

    Richard Brody

    New Yorker
    Top Critic

  • Although probably a little too long, the film succeeds in being both emotionally forceful and dramatically satisfying.

    Oct 21, 2017 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    James Berardinelli

    ReelViews
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (155)

Audience Reviews for Only the Brave

  • Feb 28, 2018
    All the Peter Berg jokes have been made. And while each and every one of them might be accurate Only the Brave is as earnest a movie there is. Camaraderie, bravery, and genuine willing sacrifice are captured in this harrowing tale with an ensemble charismatic enough to make the memories of this movie, and in turn the real-life heroes, stick with you for a long time to come.
    Philip P Super Reviewer
  • Feb 25, 2018
    There hasn't been a really good fire film since Backdraft but this film attempts to bring something different. The film has that predictability with the setup and conclusion but that doesn't stop it from being a story worth telling. The key to the film is the characters and while it's the usual cliché riddled filmmaking, it is still a lot of fun and the acting is right on the money. The actors are strong and deliver performances that separate themselves from each other, no single character feels left out and it's this style of filmmaking that keeps this from being run of the mill. Brolin is the key ingredient here and is one of the best central actors working in Hollywood, just his presence elevates every scene he is in. Kosinski hasn't been in my high end of filmmakers with some of the choices he has made but this is an impressive step to proving the strength of actor storytelling that other filmmakers have exceeded in. 24/02/2018.
    Brendan N Super Reviewer
  • Jan 28, 2018
    This was very enjoyable. Well acted, with a true yet tragic story of men who became heroes in the line of their duty.
    Ian W Super Reviewer
  • Nov 02, 2017
    I went into this movie expecting a sappy story with light fratboy humor, but came out absolutely blown away. The performances were great, particularly by Brolin, the characters who are spotlighted are interesting, the dialogue and action sequences are well written, and Kosinski's directing is superb. My only issue is that it runs a little longer than it should, but the film never lost my attention. Truly a suspenseful and emotionally gripping movie.
    Sanjay R Super Reviewer
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