Kill the Messenger

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Cast

Jeremy Renner
as Gary Webb

Rosemarie DeWitt
as Sue Webb

Ray Liotta
as John Cullen

Tim Blake Nelson
as Alan Fenster

Paz Vega
as Coral Baca

Mary Elizabeth Winstead
as Anna Simons

Michael Sheen
as Fred Weil

Robert Patrick
as Ronald J. Quail

Barry Pepper
as Russell Dodson

Andy Garcia
as Norwin Meneses

Joshua Close
as Rich Kline

Oliver Platt
as Jerry Ceppos

Michael Kenneth Williams
as Ricky Ross

Jena Sims
as Quail's Girlfriend

Robert Pralgo
as L.A. Sheriff

Hajji Golightly
as DEA Agent

Ted Huckabee
as Bob

Lucas Hedges
as Ian Webb

Matthew Lintz
as Eric Webb

Douglas Parker
as Christine Webb

Kai Schmoll
as Sacramento Journalist

Aaron Farb
as Rafael Cornejo

Tom Jordan
as San Francisco Judge

Clay Edmond Kraski
as DEA Agent Jones

Yul Vázquez
as Danilo Blandon

Kristen Danch-Powell
as Watts Girl

Jen Harper
as Ricky Ross Trial Judge

Manuel Rodriguez
as Guard

Brett Rice
as Hansjorg Baier

Jonathan Fritschi
as Soldier

Gil Bellows
as DEA Agent Miller

Steve Coulter
as Anonymous Agent

Kenny Alfonso
as Marc Mansfield

Dan Futterman
as Leo Wolinsky

Susan Walters
as Los Angeles Times Editor

Richard Schiff
as Richard Zuckerman

David de Vries
as Washington Post Editor

David Garver
as Doug Farah

Rhoda Griffis
as Female Anchor

Andrew Masset
as San Jose Mercury News Editor

E. Roger Mitchell
as Detective

Kevin Harrison
as Man in Suit

Michael H. Cole
as Pete

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News & Interviews for Kill the Messenger

Critic Reviews for Kill the Messenger

Audience Reviews for Kill the Messenger

• Aug 15, 2017

  Kill The Messenger is an intelligent investigative drama that will have you hooked from the start. Gary Webb, a journalist for a smallish news agency, stumbles upon a story which proves the CIA used cocaine profits from Central American drug smugglers to fund the Contra rebels. Never heard about it? Me neither, and in fact when the full report was published it was pushed aside by a scandal involving Bill Clinton. So, nearly a decade later, it's time to explore this intriguing story and fortunately this film is absolutely compelling. Yes, the film is about the CIA's involvement in Nicaragua, but beneath this is an individual who only desires to report the truth. Investigating a story with this much classification and secrecy results in the possibility of endangering both your career and family. But the biggest detriment, is to yourself. We see Gary Webb slowly degrade as the investigation takes its toll on him, he gradually becomes a broken man so transfixed on this job that he risks losing everything else. I found it to be utterly heartbreaking, yet rather relatable. This drama didn't need to include any thrills or chase sequences (in the fear that it becomes an action film), and yet director Michael Cuesta was bold enough to incorporate these tense pursuits. They worked. I was on edge. Why? Because Gary Webb was a well developed character. I felt for him and wanted him to succeed. This, for me, is Jeremy Renner's best performance. Forget about the supporting cast, this was his for the taking and he owned it. Emotional, physical and charismatic. Should've been nominated for more awards. The first half was a slow burner, but it picked up pace as soon as the story was established. The supporting cast were wasted, Winstead was probably the best out of them all but still underused. But due to a powerful central performance, this film was elevated to an enthralling level of intrigue. Oh, and the final screen texts detailing the aftermath? It crushed me inside. Gutted.
  

  Luke A Super Reviewer
• Sep 11, 2015

  After an engaging first half that trusts our ability to put together the details of this whole affair as we follow its character, this strong political drama is sadly weakened by some annoying clichés, including that of him becoming an "obsessed man who moves away from his family."
  Carlos M Super Reviewer
• Feb 15, 2015

  Could have been far better had they focused more on the investigative journalism than Webb's family life. It sort of distracts when it turns from a taut thriller to a humdrum family drama. Agreed that some footage ought to be given to that part, but it should have been quite limited. Maybe here too, the editor is to be blamed!!
  familiar s Super Reviewer
• Jan 30, 2015

  Gripping, dramatic and well worth watching. This true story of the CIA using drugs to fund a war shows how far people will go, not only to bury the truth, but to fight for it.
  

  Ian W Super Reviewer

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