The Wall

Name: The Wall
Genre: Drama, Thriller, War
Released: May 12, 2017
Duration: 88 min
Rating: 57
Cast: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, John Cena, Laith Nakli

2017

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 26 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 44 Ratings

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6.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 44 Ratings

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The Wall

Movie Details & Credits

Roadside Attractions | Release Date: May 12, 2017

Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, John Cena, Laith Nakli

Summary: Two soldiers are pinned down by an Iraqi sniper, with nothing but a crumbling wall between them. Their fight becomes as much a battle of will and wits as it is of lethally accurate marksmanship.

Director: Doug Liman

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, War

Rating: R

Runtime: 88 min

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Awards & Rankings

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Critic Reviews

The Playlist - Will Ashton

May 18, 2017

Armed with commanding performances, striking cinematography and exceptionally well-calibrated direction, The Wall is a haunting, engrossing death march, one that’s not entirely original but also not easy to shake. Read full review

San Francisco Chronicle - Peter Hartlaub

May 10, 2017

Whatever the numbers and whatever the broader entertainment trends, The Wall proves it’s good when big directors have the flexibility to make small projects. Read full review

The A.V. Club - A.A. Dowd

May 15, 2017

In its best moments, The Wall is just a movie, a tense and nasty black-box thriller that conveys its politics through the microcosmic stakes of its life-and-death scenario. Pity that when the characters open their mouths, they sometimes unleash some very heavy-handed artillery, their speech coated too often in cliché. Read full review

Slant Magazine - Derek Smith

May 8, 2017

The Wall packs a surprisingly savage punch by boiling the exploits of battle down to its essential elements. Read full review

We Got This Covered - Matt Donato

May 9, 2017

Aaron Taylor-Johnson deserves more credit as an actor, because he's the only reason this Iraq War thriller hobbles steadily on two legs. Read full review

Los Angeles Times - Kenneth Turan

May 11, 2017

The kind of tension you would expect is never completely present. Read full review

RogerEbert.com - Glenn Kenny

May 12, 2017

Where The Wall excels is in the creation of an extra-untantalizing desert atmosphere. The dust is practically inhalable, the sunlight glaring, and the characters grow ever more sand-gritted with each mishap. Read full review

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User Reviews

Duwen

Apr 12, 2018

Set in the aftermath of the Iraq War, The Wall is a thoughtful and contemplative cinematic experience in a thrilling package. The commentary on war and metaphors of camouflage and "enemies on the other side of a wall" set it apart from dumb-down war pics. The Wall is a 10 out of 10.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

3ebfan511

Aug 6, 2017

Decent war movie with a slightly unique take. It is as much a survival film as it is a war film, and there are some plot twists that keep it interesting. It also has some of the best sniper action of any war films in a while (since there really aren't many films with sniper action really,Decent war movie with a slightly unique take. It is as much a survival film as it is a war film, and there are some plot twists that keep it interesting. It also has some of the best sniper action of any war films in a while (since there really aren't many films with sniper action really, but it is decently done.) I wasn't sure what to expect with such a seemingly basic premise, but between Doug Liman and aaron taylor johnson I figured it could not possibly be that bad, and I was not disappointed. If you like war films, you will probably enjoy this movie, as it brings something slightly different to the genre.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

ThePasha

May 13, 2017

Not a typical war movie, but instead a tense, agonizing, one man show that portrays the horrors of war from both ends of the battlefield, all through conversation. And some gunfire.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

MarioVision

Jun 3, 2017

Overall a very solid film.
The acting was pretty good & there was much tension & agony through the end.
But it was slow in how many parts though..
It definitely a worthy movie to watch.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

eagleeyeviking

Nov 20, 2017

"The Wall" makes the most of, but never quite lives up to, Aaron Taylor-Johnson's magnetic performance in the title role. While the film is intense and has great sniper action, it drags and suffers from a jarring ending.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

RTFORD

Oct 30, 2017

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Gritty and atmospheric but unrealistic (don't doubt me; I've been there) and agonizingly slow. And one of those rare movies where the enemy wins. A complete waste of time.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Cp4Ab0115hm3n7

Aug 14, 2018

The two protagonists in this movie smeared the sniper profession badly by leaving their intended covers and posts. No snipers willingly gave up their positions unless they are ordered to recce the area and that will only happen if they are protected with by other soldiers. Secondly, thisThe two protagonists in this movie smeared the sniper profession badly by leaving their intended covers and posts. No snipers willingly gave up their positions unless they are ordered to recce the area and that will only happen if they are protected with by other soldiers. Secondly, this movie is made with a bad 'liberal' taste to tell aspirants not to join the soldiering profession because life's like these ain't worth it. Thirdly, those that condescends the drama of this movie as if its a conversation or a tete-a-tete with your enemy, well, its a convoluted way to meet the grim reaper. Fourthly, American soldiers ain't that numb skull when it comes to understanding the enemy and most times, its the other way around. Fifth, Iraqis aren't that educated and most don't give a damn about Edgar Allen Poe or Shakespeare,... Most Middle Easterners that managed to get to universities in the US, they studied either Business or Engineering. They hated the liberal arts subjects. Even if they do English studies, mostly are centered on TESOL and not literature. Sixth and lastly, this war movie is unpatriotic and only bludgeoning the profession that helps to keep the world safe.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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