Good Kill (2014)

A family man begins to question the ethics of his job as a drone pilot.

Director:

Andrew Niccol

Writer:

Andrew Niccol

Stars:

Ethan Hawke, January Jones, Zoë Kravitz

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Fatima El Bahraouy	...	The Woman (as Fatima El Bahraquy)
El Khttabi Abdelouahab	...	The Boy
Ethan Hawke	...	Major Thomas Egan
Bruce Greenwood	...	Lt. Colonel Jack Johns
Jake Abel	...	M.I.C. Joseph Zimmer
Ryan Montano	...	Airman Roy Carlos
Dylan Kenin	...	Capt. Ed Christie
Stafford Douglas	...	Billy
Zion Rain Leyba	...	Travis Egan
January Jones	...	Molly Egan
Sachie Capitani	...	Jesse Egan
Michael Sheets	...	Danny
Zoë Kravitz	...	Airman Vera Suarez
Ross Shaw	...	Lt. Drier
Chakir Faiz	...	The Man

Storyline

A Las Vegas-based fighter pilot turned drone pilot fights the Taliban by remote control for 12 hours a day, then goes home to the suburbs and feuds with his wife and kids for the other 12. But the pilot is starting to question the mission. Is he creating more terrorists than he's killing? Is he fighting a war without end.

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Plot Keywords:

drone pilot | taliban | drone attack | collateral damage | moral dilemma | 

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Taglines:

If you never face your enemy, how can you face yourself.

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violent content including a rape, language, and some sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 May 2015 (USA)

Also Known As:

Máxima precisión

Filming Locations:

Morocco

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,005, 26 June 2015, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$316,842, 28 June 2015

Company Credits

Production Co:

Voltage Pictures, Dune Films, Dune Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The name tag A1C Saurez gives Major Egan has her rank engraved on it. Air Force blue name tags do not have rank engraved on them. The nametag also had a stick pin type attachment on the rear. Air Force name tags have two pins with push on retainers, commonly referred to as "frogs".

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Goofs

At the funeral of the Taliban commander, the men are aligned in a L-shape. In islam they should stand behind the imam, funeral in front all of them, and all face Mecca.

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Quotes

Jack Johns: Fly and Fry.

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Connections

Featured in Late Night with Seth Meyers: Ethan Hawke/Kumail Nanjiani/Dwight Yoakam/Jeremy Gara (2015)

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Soundtracks

Stars
Written by Elliott Hammond, Michael Tramonte, Simon McConnell and Alexander Markwell
Performed by The Delta Riggs
Courtesy of Bleed101

User Reviews

Definitely very moving, not a typical war drama

Ethan's acting is probably the biggest deterrent for me in this movie, but luckily the cheesiness doesn't last more than the first half. Silly things like his leather jacket to help him stand out amongst his peers in the desert sun at mid day. The movie is so well directed though, and the script is paced superbly. The dialog and character development keep you inside the head without having to narrate or explain anything overtly to the viewer so it really provokes thought in an organic way.

Supporting actors are very well integrated. Overall a terrific movie. I give it an 8 but at times it would be +/- 1 from beginning to end (7 to start, 9 at the end).

Very highly recommended if you're in the mood for something cerebral and heartfelt. I'd compare it to Requiem for a Dream, Rebound or Paid in Full in that respect.