Jarhead

Released Nov 4, 2005

2h 3m

War

Drama

List

60%

Tomatometer

199 Reviews

68%

Audience Score

250,000+ Ratings

In the late 1980s, Anthony Swofford (Jake Gyllenhaal) enlists as a Marine, training in boot camp under a sadistic drill instructor. Swofford undertakes a sniper course headed by Staff Sgt. Sykes (Jamie Foxx) during this time, which is shortly before the advent of the Gulf War. When the United States becomes involved, Swofford is shipped out, along with his spotter, Alan Troy (Peter Sarsgaard). Facing uncertainty each day -- about the war and home -- the soldiers try to maintain composure.

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Critics Consensus

This first person account of the first Gulf War scores with its performances and cinematography but lacks an emotional thrust.

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Catherine Shoard

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Gyllenhaal can, in fact, act, so the blame must fall elsewhere for his dim performance, all topless tears and soulful voiceovers. The same goes for Peter Sarsgaard, Chris Cooper and Jamie Foxx, three good actors forced into contortions of theatrics.

Jan 16, 2018

Full Review

Leslie Felperin

Sight & Sound

Jarhead is simultaneously audaciously original and so mired in the clichés it knowingly acknowledges, sends up and honours that it has little new to say.

Sep 28, 2006

Full Review

Empire Magazine

Rated: 3/5

Apr 1, 2006

Full Review

Joanne Laurier

World Socialist Web Site

The deep demoralization of the US forces flows ultimately from their soul-destroying assignment to conquer the world on behalf of a bankrupt imperialism.

Mar 5, 2021

Full Review

David Lamble

Bay Area Reporter

Jarhead aims to provide the eternal reason why young men are drawn to war, like moths to the flame. Swofford and director Sam Mendes stress that to most young GIs, even the most fervently created antiwar film is a fighting man's pornography.

May 7, 2020

Full Review

Micheal Compton

Bowling Green Daily News

These soldiers wanted action, any action, just to feel justified for the life they left behind and Mendes does a great job of showing that anguish. The cast is excellent, too.

Rated: B+

Nov 19, 2019

Full Review

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Munkhchimeg T

Absolutely one of the best of the best movie. Sooo realistic and scientific movie. Got lots of information and facts.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/09/24

Full Review

Bahad j

There is one thing about this movie that cannot be missed. I can see that it worked really well on the small details.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/08/24

Full Review

Gnr E

This is absolute banger

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/08/24

Full Review

Geke g

This cast crew is different level

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/08/24

Full Review

Tom G

Whilst this film offers a great insight into the first Gulf War and provides an interesting perspective into how short-lived and stagnate it was, as a watch it's just not that gripping or satisfying. Rather, I found myself quite underwhelmed by it all; yes, that may be the entire point, but the emotional journey of the characters fails to be convincing enough to justify the slowness of the film. Pretty mediocre.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/28/24

Full Review

The K

Good movie. Gyllenhaal is a great actor. Same goes for Jamie Foxx. Like his sister. Ten out of ten. Don't know why 60% rating, it is truly more like 70% but ok.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/13/24

Full Review

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Sam Mendes

Director

Jake Gyllenhaal

Anthony Swofford

Peter Sarsgaard

Alan Troy

Jamie Foxx

Staff Sgt. Sykes

Chris Cooper

Lt. Col. Kazinski

Lucas Black

Chris Kruger

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Jarhead: Official Clip - Training Death