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IMDbPro

The Messenger

  • 20092009
  • RR
  • 1h 53m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
36K
YOUR RATING
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
22 Photos
DramaRomanceWar
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.
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
36K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Oren Moverman
  • Writers
    • Alessandro Camon
    • Oren Moverman
  • Stars
    • Ben Foster
    • Samantha Morton
    • Woody Harrelson
  • Director
    • Oren Moverman
  • Writers
    • Alessandro Camon
    • Oren Moverman
  • Stars
    • Ben Foster
    • Samantha Morton
    • Woody Harrelson
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 104User reviews
    • 205Critic reviews
    • 77Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 17 wins & 47 nominations total

    Videos3

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

    Photos22

    Ben Foster in The Messenger (2009)
    Ben Foster and Samantha Morton in The Messenger (2009)
    Oren Moverman in The Messenger (2009)
    Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster in The Messenger (2009)
    Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster in The Messenger (2009)
    Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster in The Messenger (2009)
    Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster in The Messenger (2009)
    Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster in The Messenger (2009)
    Ben Foster and Jena Malone in The Messenger (2009)
    Jena Malone in The Messenger (2009)
    The Messenger (2009)
    Ben Foster in The Messenger (2009)

    Top cast

    Edit
    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
    • 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

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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.

    • 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

    User reviews104

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    Unusual and sensitive
    I will not reiterate the plot of The Messenger; it has been done exhaustively already. The relevant facts, to me, are: This movie is a work of art in which the intentions of the director, writer, cinematographer and actors are all united. The actors, especially leads Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson and Samantha Morton, give subtle, nuanced performances. The plot is not cookie-cutter; you cannot guess what is going to happen at every turn. It is serious at its core but is not devoid of humor.

    Lately, I have been happier with the older movies I see on cable than the movies showing in theaters. This is the exception.
    helpful•47
    12
    • dzlz105
    • Dec 1, 2009

    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

    Edit
    • 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

    Edit
    • 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

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 53 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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