Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Effective but very violent story of war, honor, sacrifice.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Guy Ritchie's The Covenant
What's the Story?
In GUY RITCHIE'S THE COVENANT, U.S. Army Sergeant John Kinley (Jake Gyllenhaal) is stationed in Afghanistan, leading a squad tasked with tracking down Taliban weapons. They're aided by local interpreters, who are hired with the caveat that they'll eventually get visas to the United States. After the death of his most recent interpreter, Kinley recruits Ahmed (Dar Salim), whose knowledge almost immediately helps them avoid an ambush. Striking the jackpot and finding a major Taliban supply warehouse, the team attacks but is quickly outnumbered. Most of Kinley's unit is killed, and Kinley and Ahmed find themselves stranded behind enemy lines, with the entire Taliban after them. When Kinley is seriously wounded during a shoot-out, Ahmed uses all of his skill and wits to transport him, largely on foot, back to their U.S. base while avoiding capture. Kinley is discharged and returns home but later learns that Ahmed is still on the run, with his wife and young child in tow. Unable to find help through the proper channels, Kinley realizes what he must do: return to Afghanistan and save his friend.
Is It Any Good?
An uncharacteristically serious movie by director Guy Ritchie, this war-themed tale is simplistic but sturdy and effective thanks to crisp, energetic filmmaking and a touching emotional core. Guy Ritchie's The Covenant doesn't exactly offer a nuanced commentary on the nature of war. Lots of people get killed, and it's probably all for nothing. The Taliban are depicted as pure evil: faceless, relentless villains pouring into battle by the hundreds like hordes of video game zombies or a pack of John Wick heavies. Gyllenhaal's performance is perhaps a tad too intense, offering little chance to breathe, and most other characters -- notably Kinley's wife (Emily Beecham) -- hardly get the chance to come to life.
But Ritchie does provide clear, solid battle scenes that are both harrowing and gripping, generating shock and suspense. And then there's Salim, who's Ahmed is three-dimensional and fully formed, by turns resourceful, fierce, and tender. In one terrific scene, the men stop for a rest, and Ahmed tries several times to say something to the grieving Kinley and finally decides to say nothing. It's a human story that builds emotionally as it goes along. Guy Ritchie's The Covenant isn't specifically based on a true story, but it's a true depiction of the human spirit.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Guy Ritchie's The Covenant's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
Do you think the men rescued each other out of a sense of duty? Friendship? Or the "covenant" of the title? Something else? Why?
What does the movie have to say about the war in Afghanistan overall? What's the takeaway?
How does the movie's portrayal of Ahmed differ from its portrayal of the Taliban forces?
How are drinking, drug use, and smoking portrayed? Are they glamorized? Are there consequences? Why does that matter?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 21, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : June 6, 2023
- Cast : Jake Gyllenhaal , Dar Salim , Jonny Lee Miller
- Director : Guy Ritchie
- Studios : MGM , United Artists Releasing
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 123 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence, language throughout and brief drug content
- Last updated : July 7, 2023
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate