The Hurt Locker

2009

The Hurt Locker

Critics Consensus

A well-acted, intensely shot, action filled war epic, Kathryn Bigelow's The Hurt Locker is thus far the best of the recent dramatizations of the Iraq War.

97%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 281

84%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 95,835

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Movie Info

Based on the personal wartime experiences of journalist Mark Boal (who adapted his experiences with a bomb squad into a fact-based, yet fictional story), director Kathryn Bigelow's Iraq War-set action thriller The Hurt Locker presents the conflict in the Middle East from the perspective of those who witnessed the fighting firsthand -- the soldiers. As an elite Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team tactfully navigates the streets of present-day Iraq, they face the constant threat of death from incoming bombs and sharp-shooting snipers. In Baghdad, roadside bombs are a common danger. The Army is working to make the city a safer place for Americans and Iraqis, so when it comes to dismantling IEDs (improvised explosive devices) the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) crew is always on their game. But protecting the public isn't easy when there's no room for error, and every second spent dismantling a bomb is another second spent flirting with death. Now, as three fearless bomb technicians take on the most dangerous job in Baghdad, it's only a matter of time before one of them gets sent to "the hurt locker." Jeremy Renner, Guy Pearce, and Ralph Fiennes star. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Cast

Jeremy Renner
as Staff Sgt. William James
Anthony Mackie
as Sgt. J.T. Sanborn
Brian Geraghty
as Specialist Owen Eldrige
Guy Pearce
as Sgt. Matt Thompson
Ralph Fiennes
as Contractor Team Leader
David Morse
as Col. Reed
Evangeline Lilly
as Connie James
Christian Camargo
as Col. John Cambridge
Suhail Aldabbach
as Black Suit Man
Christopher Sayegh
as Beckham
Nabil Koni
as Professor Nabil
Sam Spruell
as Contractor Charlie
Sam Redford
as Contractor Jimmy
Feisal Saddun
as Contractor Feisal
Feisal Sadoun
Barrie Rice
as Contractor Chris
Justin Campbell
as Sgt. Carter
Malcolm Barrett
as Sgt. Foster
Erin Gann
as Mortuary Affairs Officer
Nibras Qassem
as Nabil's Wife
Ryan Tramont
as Guard at Liberty Gate
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Critic Reviews for The Hurt Locker

All Critics (281) | Top Critics (55)

View All Critic Reviews (281)

Audience Reviews for The Hurt Locker

  • Mar 29, 2016
    Say hello to the most overrated movie of all time. This is a movie that got so much buzz because of the circumstances we were living in at the time, and with good reason. The movie has some well-made scenes, but unfortunately, the majority of the movie is just a poorly directed character arc, that doesn't work for me at all. Jeremy Renner was never my favorite actor, even though I enjoy to watch him in movies. However, I thought that his performance in this movie was sloppy and incredibly unbelievable. Kathryn Bigelow is one of the best female directors that we have, and she does a good job with the movie, but I don't know if it was Oscar-worthy. The movie is surely time for some people who like war-movies, but to me, it just didn't work.
    Lasse G Super Reviewer
  • Nov 19, 2015
    A suspenseful and thrilling war film from director Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker is a smart and uncompromising look at the lives of soldiers serving in Iraq. The story follows a bomb disposal unit as they go out on missions to deal with car bombs, suicide bombers, and IEDs, but the team leader's wild and reckless attitude soon pushes his team members to their breaking point. Jeremy Renner gives an outstanding performance, and is able to convey a lot through subtle looks and movements. Additionally, there are some strong supporting performances by Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes, and Evangeline Lilly. Bigelow's directing is also incredibly well-done and gives the film a gritty and raw quality. And, the writing's remarkably tight and keeps the focus on the soldiers and their personal struggles; avoiding any political commentary about the war. A provocative character drama, The Hurt Locker asks some hard questions about the effects that war has on the soldiers who fight it.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Sep 20, 2015
    A fantastic yet different take on a modern day war movie, Instead of fast paced action we get amazing suspense nearly the whole way through the film, Some amazing acting and a breakthrough performance by Jeremy Renner, It has small bits of action but it's not what you will remember about this film, The director takes us on an emotional rollercoaster with the lives of our heroes overseas and really makes us bond with the cast, It's almost the perfect modern day war film and can see why it won film of the year at the Oscars.
    Jamie C Super Reviewer
  • Sep 25, 2012
    It's nice that R.Fiennes, Morse and Pearce had cameos, and that the bulk of the acting was by actors i've not seen before. Its comparison to avatar is inevitable and i think it justly won the award. Purely on a personal note i'd rather see actors/esses than animation providing the actings not shit which it wasnt. Mackie and Geraghty are affable in portraying their situation while Renner hits the nail on the head with his cowboy come war addict performance. Not as tense as i was expecting and for me that's the only fault
    Sanity Assassin ! Super Reviewer
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