Soldier
A nearly voiceless supersoldier discovers ordinary humanity on a peaceful colony before defending it from the military system that created him.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Brutal
- grim
- visceral
- brutalist
- action movie night
- science fiction marathon
What critics said
Critics generally found the action competent and Kurt Russell's performance compelling, but judged the film overly derivative, brutal, and burdened by familiar futuristic action clichés.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Todd speaks only 104 words and his socialization on the colonial planet is conveyed largely through behavior rather than dialogue.
People selected at birth are trained into killing machines, while older soldiers are discarded when a newer breed appears.
The semi-abandoned colonial planet initially offers Todd a peaceful community and a chance to learn ordinary human life.
The film maintains a stark, brutalist science fiction tone through spacecraft, battlefield imagery, dystopian institutions, and forceful action staging.
Films like Soldier, and why
The Last Starfighter
Shares dystopian science fiction, militarized protagonists, brutal training systems, and a conflict between engineered soldiers and ordinary human communities.
Starship Troopers
Shares futuristic combat, authoritarian institutions, genetically or technologically shaped warriors, and high-concept action spectacle.
The Terminator
Shares a nearly silent hardened protagonist, dystopian science fiction, violent military conditioning, and a struggle to reclaim humanity.
Outland
Shares an isolated futuristic settlement, an outsider protector, and action-driven resistance against an oppressive armed force.
Movie Details
- Director
- Paul W. S. Anderson
- Release Date
- 1998-10-23
- Runtime
- 99 min
- Rating
- 6.4 / 10 (999)
Cast
- Kurt Russell
- Jason Scott Lee
- Jason Isaacs
- Connie Nielsen
- Sean Pertwee
- Gary Busey
- Michael Chiklis
- Sara Paxton
- K.K. Dodds
- James Black
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Soldier about?
- A nearly voiceless supersoldier discovers ordinary humanity on a peaceful colony before defending it from the military system that created him.
- What is Soldier like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Soldier as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Soldier violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Soldier as brutal.
- What did critics think of Soldier?
- Critics generally found the action competent and Kurt Russell's performance compelling, but judged the film overly derivative, brutal, and burdened by familiar futuristic action clichés.
- Which films are like Soldier?
- Films with a similar feel include The Last Starfighter, Starship Troopers, The Terminator, and Outland.
- How long is Soldier?
- Soldier runs 99 minutes.
- Where can I watch Soldier?
- In United States, Soldier is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
