IMDb > The Hurt Locker (2008)
The Hurt Locker
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The Hurt Locker (2008) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 42 | slideshow) Videos (see all 22)
The Hurt Locker (2008) -- In Baghdad, members of a bomb-disposal team near the end of their rotation deadline are pulled into a deadly game of urban combat by a new sergeant (Renner).
The Hurt Locker (2008) -- The Hurt Locker Clip - "Drop the Phone"
The Hurt Locker (2008) -- Trailer for this film about a soldier who disarms bombs
The Hurt Locker (2008) -- Trailer for this action film about a soldier who disarms bombs
The Hurt Locker (2008) -- MattTrailer.com - Trailer - Trailer Deutsch Internation...

Overview

User Rating:
8.0/10   19,073 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 8% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Mark Boal (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Hurt Locker on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
10 October 2008 (Italy) more
Genre:
Tagline:
You'll know when you're in it. more
Plot:
Iraq. Forced to play a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse in the chaos of war, an elite Army bomb squad unit must come together in a city where everyone is a potential enemy and every object could be a deadly bomb. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
10 wins & 21 nominations more
User Comments:
The work of a master filmmaker more (171 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Jeremy Renner ... SSgt. William James
Anthony Mackie ... Sgt. JT Sanborn

Brian Geraghty ... Spc. Owen Eldridge

Guy Pearce ... Sgt. Matt Thompson

Ralph Fiennes ... Contractor Team Leader

David Morse ... Colonel Reed

Evangeline Lilly ... Connie James

Christian Camargo ... Col. John Cambridge
Suhail Aldabbach ... Black Suit Man (as Suhail Al-Dabbach)
Christopher Sayegh ... Beckham
Nabil Koni ... Professor Nabil
Sam Spruell ... Contractor Charlie

Sam Redford ... Contractor Jimmy
Feisal Sadoun ... Contractor Feisal
Barrie Rice ... Contractor Chris
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for war violence and language.
Runtime:
131 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
USA:R (certificate #45024) | Ireland:15A | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Iceland:16 | UK:15 | Germany:16 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Singapore:M18 | Argentina:16 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/16 | Philippines:R-13 (MTRCB) | Finland:K-15 | Sweden:11
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Actor Jeremy Renner tripped and fell down some stairs while carrying an Iraqi boy on the film's set. Shooting was stopped for several days while Renner's ankle healed. more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: The Army ACU uniforms worn did not come into service until 2005. more
Quotes:
Opening Quote by Chris Hedges: The rush of battle is often a potent and lethal addiction, for war is a drug. more
Soundtrack:
Palestina more

FAQ

A Note Regarding Spoilers
Does "Beckham" die?
Where does the title come from?
more
108 out of 130 people found the following comment useful.
The work of a master filmmaker, 18 March 2009
10/10
Author: krigler from Budapest, Hungary

The Hurt Locker is a serious character study and a taut, suspenseful action thriller at once.

The subject matter itself - the work of a bomb expert, possibly one of the most nerve-racking jobs on the planet - yields most of the suspense but Bigelow manages to squeeze out every bit of tension of the premise.

This film to me was very apolitical - though set in Iraq, it is distinguished from most of the Iraq-themed war films in that it concentrates much more on the job itself than the political environment. Iraq seemed more like a backdrop - any other war would do, The Hurt Locker does not preach about this one specifically.

The story is deeply emotional, depicting a thoroughly disturbed individual's life in hell. Jeremy Renner gives an incredibly powerful performance as an EOD officer completely hooked on adrenaline stemming from his everyday close shaves with death.

All aspects of film-making are top-notch, from the brilliantly subversive screenplay through vivid cinematography, masterful directing and perfectly paced editing.

In its storytelling the filmmakers wisely break with traditional Hollywood narrative techniques. There is no clear antagonist, no rising action, no obvious character development and no climax. And yet the film manages to be more interesting, tense and suspenseful than any Hollywood action thriller I've seen in years while making a powerful, yet subtle statement about the insane addiction that is war. Kudos for everyone involved for making this film without compromising.

This is pure quality, cinematic storytelling at its best, a thinking man's actioner.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Hurt Locker (2008)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Impossible to hit a moving target at 850 metres jmsalmi
This is possibly the best war film of our generation. Rynobro
Question about Guy Pierce? Spoilers BuckAtwater
I don't remember seeing Ralph Fiennes! Delpheno
Odds on Kathryn being the first Female Best Director Oscar Winner... pandora8
Generic Mediocre Army Film... whats the fuss? ModestAustin811
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