Customer Ratings & Reviews

Kill the Messenger is a true tragedy. A discussion and a meditation on the human life and the countless directions it could go according to the mind that is guiding it. It is a story that takes on the model of what its main character goes through reinforcing the difficulty with which he experiences in trying to follow the guiding light he caught a glimpse of as a child. Despite what else might go on in his life Gary Webb (Jeremy Renner) is an idealistic journalist who believes in the power of his profession. He is a man held to the virtues of his responsibilities to the American public and, as he should, takes that responsibility seriously. He is as ambitious as he needs to be in wanting to crack the one big story that might break his career wide open and send him from the bowels of the San Jose Mercury News to the big leagues of the The Los Angeles Times or Washington Post though these ambitions never feel as important as his need to produce quality. What the film tells of more than it does necessarily follow the plot of the story Webb is investigating is the role of man in our society when he plays with the powers that be. What is wrong with our government if we are not allowed to question them without repercussion? In this case the repercussion is that of Webb becoming the story, his credibility called into question, rather than what he'd actually investigated and reported on being the story or point of focus. It is as much a commentary on the integrity of investigative journalism and how it has devolved into what we have today (the 24-hour news cycle on roids) as it is an interesting take on the state of our country which promises and promotes freedom, but will devour you if you take those liberties to a certain extent. Kill the Messenger is an engaging film, one reminiscent of those 1970's Robert Redford films (namely All the President's Men) taking the paranoid political thriller and transcending even that genre classification because of the real life weight the story holds.

I didn't know much about this when I bought it let alone it was based on true events! I don't want to give much away but the way I watched this movie (without any knowledge of previous events or even the true story it was based on) was refusing to read reviews or research before I watched it. It has some surprises and it does offer some realism. This movie made me want to review the actual events and found them to be quite interesting and I am surprised I didn't really know about it before hand.

A journalist at a minor newspaper, Gary Webb (played by Jeremy Renner), gets a tip off that a witness at trial of a drug dealer is a government informant, and is importing drugs into the US. After much investigation he uncovers evidence that suggests that the CIA are allowing US-backed rebels in Nicaragua to sell large quantities of drugs in the US in exchange for arms. Once he publishes the story, his world is turned upside down...

Fan of Jeremy Rinner since "Hurt Locker". I have all of movies. This was not a good way to showcase his talents as an action star. This is a slower pace telling of a true story. This movie is full of talented actors.You will not be disappointed in Jeremy. He is a handsome guy with beautiful blue eyes and long eye lashes. Money well spent.

I enjoyed watching "Kill the Messenger." Topnotch acting across the board painted human characters caught up in a mess that cost Gary Webb his life. Since the movie is based on the true story, and since the truth still hasn't completely seen the light of day, you really can't tell what's fiction filling in the gaps and what's real. So the best way to watch it is as a spy thriller. You'll get the most out of it that way.

This is Gary Webb's docudrama and is well acted by Jeremy Renner. Don't expect to just watch action and fast speed chases. The first part is slow because it shows the investigation that Webb had to do by himself and not until the second half did the movie pick up. All in all, it's a great political drama and historical story.

Based on a true story. Well acted. Just pains you to see and learn afterward the destruction of a man because he believed in his work and the right of the people to know. Trying not to give it away on this one.

I enjoyed watching this movie. Handles the complex true-story of a reporter exposing some very evil CIA operations, which have had far reaching social consequences. No happy endings here. Top-notch Blu-ray video and audio quality.

Our government allowing drug dealer to smuggle crack into our neighborhoods, inconceivable. This is the story of the journalist who uncovered our government doing shady things that only a third world country would do.

Jeremy Renner is an investigated journalist who found a story that was too explosive when it involved the CIA. We need more journalist that are willing to tell the truth no matter the consequences.

I personally haven't seen this one but it was recommend to me by a friend who I trust their opinion. Plus the trailer looked really good. So with that being said I picked it up.

A bit slow but typical drama of a good guy trying to do the right thing while entangled in a web of conspiracy and bureaucracy. Makes you open your eyes to what a corrupt government is capable of!!

This movie is well acted by Renner. The war on drugs is a disaster this shows how powerful the kingpins have gotten by making something illegal. Will watch again.

Very informative movie. Interesting perspective on an issue of great concern - drug use/abuse and one possible explanation of government involvement.

I've previously seen documentaries on, the real, Rick Ross which made this perspective more interesting.

When I bought this film, I didn't realize it was based on a true story. It's a great historical drama with a dynamic performance by Jeremy Renner.

A bio pic of an honest journalist who goes deep into the story he is trying to tell the public. But is the price he has to pay to high?

Good backstory about reporter Gary Webb when he stumbles on the CIA involvement in drug smuggling to acquire weapons for Contra Rebels.

This may not be the best political thriller out there, but it certainly brings to light little known facts regarding the drug trade.

This movie is a lot better than people give it credit for. Hence me buying it. If it wasn't, I wouldn't have spent the money