Directed by:
Guy RitchieCinematography:
Ed WildComposer:
Christopher BensteadCast:
Jake Gyllenhaal, Dar Salim, Alexander Ludwig, Emily Beecham, Antony Starr, Bobby Schofield, Jonny Lee Miller, Sean Sagar, Jason Wong, James Nelson-Joyce (more)VOD (3)
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Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant follows US Army Sergeant John Kinley (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Afghan interpreter Ahmed (Dar Salim). After an ambush, Ahmed goes to Herculean lengths to save Kinley’s life. When Kinley learns that Ahmed and his family were not given safe passage to America as promised, he must repay his debt by returning to the war zone to retrieve them before the Taliban hunts them down. (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM))
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A well-crafted film, set during the war in Afghanistan, centered on the importance of repaying a debt. It’s quite surprising that Guy Ritchie tackled such a topic; he always seemed more suited to other genres (but maybe this was his dream project). The acting is absolutely outstanding. Gyllenhaal (once again!) delivered a phenomenal performance, and Dar Salim supported him admirably. The film relies heavily on the intimate dynamic between these two leads, showcasing their acting prowess. Christopher Benstead also excelled; his powerful yet emotionally charged soundtrack hits the right notes. Masterful work! However, one aspect disappointed me: the action sequences. I can’t quite understand why I felt a certain sterility watching Ritchie’s film (considering the absolutely perfect Wrath of Man in this regard, it’s really puzzling). The shootouts simply didn’t engage me (though the AC-130 at the end was a nice touch). On the other hand, the plot is enjoyable, the actors are top-notch, and Antony Starr also gets his moment. I give it 7.5/10. P.S. But Lone Survivor by Berg is in a completely different league quality-wise :)
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Another classy and focused Ritchie flick. As with Wrath of Man, this is not a lightweight, verbally refined stylistic feature, but direct and vigorous male-driven action with minimal dialogue, this time paying tribute to Afghan interpreters. Although it is not based on a true story, it feels very realistic, with the highlight being the chase with ragheads in the mountains about halfway through. The tension can be cut and the technically perfect Michael Mann-style action is breathtaking. The warfare is bloody, grounded, and even the barracks feel very realistic, more like a non-production area in a factory than a modern control centre. Gyllenhaal is economical and doesn't take credit from Dar Salim, as his unassuming mechanic with a family and a baby on the way is the real main character here. There's nothing much more to the story than what's in the synopsis, but it's really about a man's word and his commitment to help someone who got you out of some shit.
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It's refreshing to see Guy Ritchie tackle a more serious topic instead of his usual pop culture-heavy fare. The Covenant is a solid piece of filmmaking. The story of Afghan translators deserves attention — they risk not just their lives but also the safety of their loved ones. The film perfectly captures the war-torn atmosphere and delivers flawless action sequences, all underscored by a strong sense of honor. And as any man can attest, honor is the highest virtue we can offer.
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After a long time, finally a good film project from the contemporary war environment. The story is very strong in its depth and relevance. It is almost frightening to imagine what the local interpreters working for the U.S. had to go through after 2021. The film is packed with action, tension and very well developed emotional bonds. Both Jake Gyllenhall and Dar Salim are a great fit for these roles. Recommended.
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Guy Ritchie and his war movie The Covenant! Anyone who likes these modern Afghan war dramas will not be disappointed here. It may not surpass it's related brethren in terms of genre, but it maintains a similar high standard of craftsmanship and that's the most important thing. The first half hour is slower, but then it picks up decently with a cool action sequence involving a Taliban ambush, culminating in an uncompromising survival drama with two great actors – Jake Gyllenhaal and Dar Salim (great chemistry, fatality, manly words). It is a very suspenseful sequence with a thumping soundtrack where the viewer is slowly left breathless. The second half is a little different, but definitely not bad. Gyllenhaal shows off his acting skills to the max, and even though the action drops, it's still a very engaging and high quality film that culminates in another action intensive finale on a bridge. There's not much to fault the film, there's simply everything you'd expect from an proper and well made modern actioner. Admittedly I don't quite have the urge to see The Covenant again straight away as I did with 13 Hours of Benghazi or Lone Survivor, for example, which I have a notch above. But this one too is a great flick that shouldn't offend anyone. Ritchie is awesome and an expert on macho movies. Leave the women in the kitchen and The Covenant with a beer won’t disappoint. 8/10.
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