Good Kill Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A pilot gets grounded, so he plays a video game of war all day and then goes home to his wife, who’s also grounded because she’s married to him.

🍿 Good Kill: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction of Major Thomas Egan

Major Thomas Egan, a former F-16 fighter pilot, now operates drones from a Las Vegas airbase. He struggles with the transition from flying fighter jets to remotely controlling drones, finding the work both physically and emotionally draining. He lives a double life, going home to his family after spending his day engaging in warfare from thousands of miles away.

Moral Dilemmas and CIA Involvement

Egan’s moral compass is tested as he starts receiving orders from the CIA, which has different rules of engagement. These orders often involve targeting individuals based on patterns of behavior, leading to higher risks of civilian casualties. Egan and his co-pilot, Vera Suarez, witness disturbing events through the drone cameras, increasing their moral distress.

Personal Struggles and Family Life

The stress of his job begins to affect Egan’s personal life. He becomes increasingly distant from his wife, Molly, and his alcoholism worsens. Molly finds a letter requesting a transfer, leading to confrontation. Egan’s inability to separate his work from his personal life strains his marriage and leads to increased tension at home.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Major Thomas Egan (Ethan Hawke): A former fighter pilot turned drone pilot struggles with the moral implications of his remote-controlled warfare, leading to personal and professional turmoil.
• Molly Egan (January Jones): Thomas’s wife, who becomes increasingly frustrated and disconnected from her husband as his work consumes him and their marriage deteriorates.
• Lt. Colonel Jack Johns (Bruce Greenwood): The commanding officer of the UCAV division who grapples with the ethical compromises of drone warfare and the impact on his team.
• Airman Vera Suarez (Zoë Kravitz): A drone pilot who questions the morality of the strikes, especially when the CIA becomes involved, eventually leading to her resignation.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Major Thomas Egan: “I used to drop bombs from 30,000 feet. Now I drop them from 7,000 miles. It’s still the same.” – Egan reflects on the dehumanizing nature of drone warfare, despite the physical distance from the battlefield.
• Lt. Colonel Jack Johns: “Don’t ask me if this is a just war. It’s just war.” – Johns curtly dismisses Egan’s ethical concerns, emphasizing the pragmatism and necessity of their mission.
• Airman Vera Suarez: “Was that a war crime, sir?” – Suarez questions the legality and morality of a questionable drone strike, highlighting the ethical dilemmas faced by the pilots.
• Major Thomas Egan: “I had information that the Taliban commander’s brother would attend the funeral. So I waited until they were all there, saying their prayers… and then I blew them up too. That’s my job.” – Egan matter-of-factly describes the calculated targeting of civilians, showcasing the disturbing detachment required for his role.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $12 million
• Domestic Gross: $316,472
• Worldwide Gross: $1,474,471

💥 Good Kill Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, Good Kill really messed with my head! It’s not your typical action movie; it’s more about the guy pulling the trigger and what it does to him. Ethan Hawke nailed the conflicted feelings of being a drone pilot. The scene where they’re ordered to strike a funeral was intense and made me question everything. It’s a must-see if you want something that makes you think.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Viewers interested in military dramas.”
  • “Those who enjoy movies that explore ethical dilemmas.”
  • “Fans of Ethan Hawke’s performances.”
  • “People interested in modern warfare and drone technology.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Graphic depictions of violence”
  • “References to sexual assault”
  • “Alcohol abuse”
  • “Mature themes related to war and morality”

Professional Reviews

• MovieWeb: “Good Kill’s exploration of drone warfare is both timely and unnerving. Hawke’s performance is a standout, portraying the psychological toll with impressive subtlety. While the film sometimes struggles with pacing, it delivers a compelling look at modern warfare’s ethical complexities.
• ScreenRant: “Good Kill offers a thought-provoking, if somewhat heavy-handed, examination of the moral gray areas of drone warfare. Hawke delivers a nuanced performance as a conflicted drone pilot, but the film’s overall impact is lessened by its predictable narrative and melodramatic elements.

Audience Reactions

Thought-provoking exploration of modern warfare’s ethical implications.: Viewers appreciated Ethan Hawke’s performance and the movie’s willingness to tackle a complex and relevant issue.

Overall Consensus: Good Kill is a thought-provoking film that explores the psychological and ethical toll of drone warfare, highlighted by Ethan Hawke’s strong performance. However, some find the narrative heavy-handed.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Andrew Niccol also wrote the screenplay, exploring themes similar to his previous works like ‘Lord of War’, focusing on moral ambiguities and the consequences of violence.”
• “The film was shot in Morocco, utilizing the landscape to represent the Middle Eastern regions where the drone strikes take place, adding to the film’s authenticity.”
• “To prepare for their roles, Ethan Hawke and Zoë Kravitz researched drone warfare and consulted with actual drone pilots to understand the psychological impact of their work.”

🖥️ How to Watch Good Kill?

As of October 2024, ‘Good Kill’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability as streaming options may vary by region. Consider checking your local library to borrow a copy.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Good Kill, you might like these similar films:

• Eye in the Sky (2015): Examines the ethical complexities of drone warfare and the difficult decisions made by military and political leaders.
• The Hurt Locker (2008): Explores the psychological toll of war on soldiers, focusing on the intense pressure and moral challenges they face.
• American Sniper (2014): Portrays the life of a soldier grappling with the consequences of his actions during the Iraq War and the emotional burden of combat.
• Zero Dark Thirty (2012): Deals with the controversial methods used in the hunt for Osama bin Laden and the moral compromises made in the name of national security.

🛒 Good Kill Related Products

• MQ-9 Reaper Drone Model: A highly detailed die-cast model of the MQ-9 Reaper drone, perfect for military enthusiasts and collectors. Features realistic markings and a display stand.
• Drone Pilot T-Shirt: A t-shirt with a cool design that says “Drone Pilot: Remotely Saving the World.” Comfortable and stylish, perfect for fans of the movie.
• Military Ethics Book: Book discussing morality, moral problems in the war, and the soldier’s moralities in conflicts that occur, so everyone can discuss what is a right or wrong choice when the time comes.
• Air Force Gift Box: Gift box containing all the necessities that may please a Air Force fan. All merchandise has to do with the Air Force in some shape or form.

🎧 Soundtrack

Good Kill features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Bang Bang Boom” – performed by The Unknown

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Generation Kill: A Modern Military Masterpiece

Ever wonder about the realistic portrayal of modern warfare in film? This video dissects ‘Generation Kill,’ a show tackling similar themes to ‘Good Kill,’ and honestly, it’s a deep dive into the psychological toll on soldiers that’s hard to ignore. You should check it out!

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