Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- somber
- tense
- paranoid
- serious movie night
- political thriller marathon
What critics said
Critics generally found the film timely and thought-provoking, with Ethan Hawke's performance anchoring its morally serious modern war drama.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Tom Egan launches drone strikes from a Las Vegas base before returning to suburban family life, repeatedly questioning civilian casualties and endless retaliation.
The plot alternates in a linear progression between Egan's remote missions and feuds with Molly and his children at home.
Drone operations and targeting decisions are experienced through remote-control interfaces rather than conventional battlefield movement.
The mission's stated fight against the Taliban is challenged by the possibility that civilian deaths create more terrorists than they eliminate.
Films like Good Kill, and why
Eye in the Sky
shared modern warfare ethics, remote combat perspective, and morally troubled military protagonist
The Hurt Locker
shared military bureaucracy, psychological strain, and serious antiwar drama
A Most Wanted Man
shared drone warfare, geopolitical anxiety, and tense procedural thriller elements
Movie Details
- Director
- Andrew Niccol
- Release Date
- 2015-04-09
- Runtime
- 104 min
- Rating
- 5.9 / 10 (630)
Cast
- Ethan Hawke
- January Jones
- Zoë Kravitz
- Jake Abel
- Bruce Greenwood
- Alma Sisneros
- Kristen DeVore Rakes
- Dylan Kenin
- Michael Sheets
- Peter Coyote
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Philo, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, Sundance Now, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel
- Rent
- Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Good Kill about?
- A Las Vegas drone pilot's remote war collides with his suburban marriage and his growing conscience.
- What is Good Kill like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Good Kill as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Good Kill violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Good Kill as moderate.
- What did critics think of Good Kill?
- Critics generally found the film timely and thought-provoking, with Ethan Hawke's performance anchoring its morally serious modern war drama.
- Which films are like Good Kill?
- Films with a similar feel include Eye in the Sky, The Hurt Locker, and A Most Wanted Man.
- How long is Good Kill?
- Good Kill runs 104 minutes.
- Where can I watch Good Kill?
- In United States, Good Kill streams on fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Philo, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, Sundance Now, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel.
