The Men Who Stare at Goats

2009, Comedy, 1h 33m

218 Reviews 100,000+ Ratings

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critics consensus

Though The Men Who Stare at Goats is a mostly entertaining, farcical glimpse of men at war, some may find its satire and dark humor less than edgy. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

Struggling reporter Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor) gets the scoop of a lifetime when he meets Lyn Cassady (George Clooney), who claims to be from a unit of psychic soldiers who have been reactivated for duty. Intrigued by Cassady's assertions that they can walk through walls and kill goats by fixed gazes, Wilton follows him on a dangerous, top-secret mission across Iraq to find the brigade's founder, Bill Django (Jeff Bridges).
  • Rating:
    R (Language|Brief Nudity|Some Drug Content)
  • Genre:
    Comedy
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Grant Heslov
  • Producer:
    George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Paul Lister
  • Writer:
    Peter Straughan
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $32.4M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Overture Films

Cast & Crew

George Clooney
Lyn Cassady
Jeff Bridges
Bill Django
Ewan McGregor
Bob Wilton
Kevin Spacey
Larry Hooper
Robert Patrick
Todd Nixon
Stephen Lang
General Hopgood
Stephen Root
Gus Lacey
Glenn Morshower
Major Jim Holtz
Waleed Zuaiter
Mohammad Daash
Rebecca Mader
Debora
Nick Offerman
Scotty Mercer
Terry Serpico
Phil
Tim Griffin
Tim Kootz
Jacob Browne
Lt. Boone
Brad Grunberg
Ron
Elsa Villafane
Gus' Mother
Grant Heslov
Director
Peter Straughan
Screenwriter
George Clooney
Producer
Grant Heslov
Producer
Paul Lister
Producer
Barbara A. Hall
Executive Producer
James Holt
Executive Producer
David M. Thompson
Executive Producer
Robert Elswit
Cinematographer
Tatiana S. Riegel
Film Editor
Patricia Alonso
Casting
Sharon Seymour
Production Design
Peter Borck
Art Director
Marcia Calosio
Set Decoration
Monica Monserrate
Set Decoration
Louise Frogley
Costume Designer
Rolfe Kent
Original Music
Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for The Men Who Stare at Goats

All Critics (218) | Top Critics (67) | Fresh (111) | Rotten (107)

View All Critic Reviews (218)

Audience Reviews for The Men Who Stare at Goats

  • Sep 10, 2019
    "Now, more than ever, we need the Jedi!" The Men Who Stare At Goats is a quirky, offbeat comedy based on an exposé of the US Army's research into the paranormal. When war journalist Bob Wilton has a chance meeting with a contractor in Afghanistan he learns about a secret US military program to train "Psychic Jedi" to develop their mental abilities in order to conduct psychic warfare. The film features an all-star cast that includes George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges, and Kevin Spacey. And, the comedy is really well-done; with a number of funny bits and clever satire. However, the plot doesn't really go anywhere and kind of falls apart at the end. While it has its moments, The Men Who Stare At Goats is all over the place and lacks a cohesive message.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Jun 07, 2012
    What the hell have I just seen? The plot of the movie it's like weird and all over the place. 1 hr 30 min of a movie that really seemed much longer. And I just don't like George Clooney, sorry, I just don't see the special that everyone in Hollywood talks about.
    Andreia C Super Reviewer
  • May 26, 2012
    I found her quite entertaining, the story may not be the maximum and at times may be quite rare and confusing, but I like it. The characters are not the strongest point but they are nice. The cast is spectacular, top players have unfortunately not used to its fullest, but that's ok. At the end is a rare movie rarely gets laughs, but is acceptable, entertaining and have a good time.
    Rodrigo R Super Reviewer
  • Dec 02, 2011
    I really enjoyed this. It was funny, well acted, and such a insane and cool story it was fun start to end. I love all the Jedi references with Ewan McGregor (Obi Wan).
    Bradley W Super Reviewer
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