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The Messenger

  • 2009
  • R
  • 1h 53m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
39K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,276
1,185
Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster in The Messenger (2009)
A soldier (Foster) struggles with an ethical dilemma when he becomes involved with a widow of a fallen officer (Morton).
Play trailer2:22
3 Videos
27 Photos
Dark ComedyDramaRomanceWar

An American soldier struggles with an ethical dilemma when he becomes involved with a widow of a fallen officer.An American soldier struggles with an ethical dilemma when he becomes involved with a widow of a fallen officer.An American soldier struggles with an ethical dilemma when he becomes involved with a widow of a fallen officer.

  • Director
    • Oren Moverman
  • Writers
    • Alessandro Camon
    • Oren Moverman
  • Stars
    • Ben Foster
    • Samantha Morton
    • Woody Harrelson
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    39K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    4,276
    1,185
    • Director
      • Oren Moverman
    • Writers
      • Alessandro Camon
      • Oren Moverman
    • Stars
      • Ben Foster
      • Samantha Morton
      • Woody Harrelson
    • 116User reviews
    • 206Critic reviews
    • 77Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 17 wins & 47 nominations total

    Videos3

    The Messenger: Awards Trailer
    Trailer 2:22
    The Messenger: Awards Trailer
    The Messenger
    Trailer 2:21
    The Messenger
    The Messenger
    Trailer 2:21
    The Messenger
    The Messenger
    Clip 1:12
    The Messenger

    Photos26

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    + 20
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    Top Cast40

    Ben Foster
    Ben Foster
    • Staff Sergeant Will Montgomery
    Samantha Morton
    Samantha Morton
    • Olivia Pitterson
    Woody Harrelson
    Woody Harrelson
    • Captain Tony Stone
    Jena Malone
    Jena Malone
    • Kelly
    Eamonn Walker
    Eamonn Walker
    • Colonel Stuart Dorsett
    Yaya DaCosta
    Yaya DaCosta
    • Monica Washington
    Portia
    Portia
    • Mrs. Burrell
    Lisa Joyce
    Lisa Joyce
    • Emily
    Steve Buscemi
    Steve Buscemi
    • Dale Martin
    Peter Francis James
    Peter Francis James
    • Dr. Grosso
    Paul Diomede
    Paul Diomede
    • Motorcycle Cop
    Jahmir Duran-Abreau
    • Matt Pitterson
    Gaius Charles
    Gaius Charles
    • Recruiter Brown
    Brendan Sexton III
    Brendan Sexton III
    • Recruiter Olson
    Brian Adam DeJesus
    Brian Adam DeJesus
    • Teenager #1
    • (as Brian DeJesus)
    T.J. Allen
    • Teenager #2
    Halley Feiffer
    Halley Feiffer
    • Marla Cohen
    Peter Friedman
    Peter Friedman
    • Mr. Cohen
    • Director
      • Oren Moverman
    • Writers
      • Alessandro Camon
      • Oren Moverman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews116

    7.138.7K
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    Summary

    Reviewers say 'The Messenger' Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Curabitur pretium tincidunt lacus.

    Nulla facilisi etiam dignissim diam quis enim lobortis scelerisque
    Lorem ipsum dolorSit amet consecteturAdipiscing elitSed do eiusmodTempor incididuntUt labore et doloreMagna aliquaUt enim ad minimVeniam quisNostrud exercitation
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    Related interests

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    Dark Comedy
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance
    Band of Brothers (2001)
    War

    Storyline

    Did you know

    • Trivia
      The scene where Will (Ben Foster) and Olivia (Samantha Morton) speak to each other in her kitchen is eight minutes long and was shot in one take. Co-writer and director Oren Moverman allowed actors and actresses to improvise in certain scenes.
    • Goofs
      Several times throughout the movie, Captain Stone notifies next of kin of deceased soldiers without first getting positive confirmation that they are, in fact, the soldier's next of kin. Casualty Notification Officers are required to make sure that the person they are addressing is actually the next of kin before making notification. This is not a mistake that a professional like Captain Stone would make.
    • Quotes
      • Captain Tony Stone: [walking to deliver the news to a wife that her husband has died] It could be worse. It could be Christmas.
    • Alternate versions
      There are two versions available. Runtimes are "1h 53m (113 min)" and "1h 45m (105 min) (Berlin International) (Germany)".
    • Connections
      Featured in The Rotten Tomatoes Show: Zombieland/A Serious Man/Whip It (2009)
    • Soundtracks
      Put Your Hands Up
      Performed by Plive (as P-Live)
      Written by Christian Salyer, Isaiah Perkins
      Published by Engine Co. 30/4tian Music/Engine Co. 35/4tian2 Music
      Courtesy of 5 Alarm Music

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    FAQ1

    • Is anyone familiar with the song playing at the 12ish minute mark? Song also plays when SSG Montgomery punches a hole in the wall.

    Details

    • Release date
      • December 4, 2009 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • El mensajero
    • Filming locations
      • Morristown, New Jersey, USA
    • Production companies
      • Oscilloscope
      • Omnilab Media
      • Sherazade Film Development
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    • Budget
      • $6,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,109,660
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $44,523
      • Nov 15, 2009
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,595,417
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    • Runtime
      • 1h 53m(113 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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