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Intent to Destroy (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Intent to Destroy (2017) movie poster

Intent to Destroy is a 2017 documentary directed by Joe Berlinger, starring Christian Bale, Eric Bogosian and Shohreh Aghdashloo. It runs 1 hour 55 minutes and earned $31,534 worldwide. Critics gave it 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 75 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10. Rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
92%
worldwide gross
$31.5K
Echo Score
70
Intent to Destroy (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 55m (115 min)
Director
Joe Berlinger
Genre
Documentary
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Intent to Destroy About?

The premise of Intent to Destroy without spoilers.

This gripping documentary explores the complicated production of "The Promise," a film tackling the Armenian Genocide. Filmmaker Joe Berlinger embeds himself with the production team, uncovering the challenges and obstacles encountered when attempting to portray this sensitive historical event. The film examines how Hollywood’s involvement shaped the narrative and the efforts to suppress the truth. Through archival footage and compelling reenactments, a painful legacy is brought to life, revealing the extraordinary lengths taken to confront and, at times, conceal a story of mass murder and oppression.

Intent to Destroy Themes & Keywords

· 22 tags
  • genocide
  • armenian genocide
  • historian
  • ottoman empire
  • raphael lemkin
  • politics
  • foreign policy
  • crime against humanity
  • year 1915
  • witness
  • representation
  • diaspora
+10 more
  • armenian culture
  • armenian history
  • aurora mardiganian
  • world war one
  • mass murder
  • turkish history
  • turkey the country
  • turkey
  • armenia
  • armenian american
Where to watch

Where to Watch Intent to Destroy

Rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Intent to Destroy Cast

Christian Bale leads the cast, with Eric Bogosian and Shohreh Aghdashloo. Directed by Joe Berlinger; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Intent to Destroy

· 6 more
Ratings

Intent to Destroy Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Intent to Destroy 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 75 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in character & emotion (78) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

70 /100

Intent to Destroy Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Intent to Destroy presents a thoughtfully curated examination of the Armenian Genocide that engages through its informative content but occasionally feels diffused by its multipronged structure. Several critics praise its balanced tone and lucid narrative approach, noting moments of emotional resonance and elegant framing of historical testimony. However, some observers point to an uneven pacing and sections that resemble supplementary material rather than a cohesive whole. The net impression is of a worthwhile film that offers valuable perspective despite structural imperfections.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of art and craft, the film delivers a clear visual framework marked by elegant composition and archival integration, though its multipronged approach at times undercuts the directorial focus. Critics commend the measured editing and coherent cinematography in its presentation of historical footage, yet note occasional dilution of impact when shifting between narrative strands. Overall, the production design and visual cohesion support the film’s informative aim with generally solid execution.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    When it comes to character and emotion, the documentary achieves moments of genuine resonance through firsthand interviews and nuanced historical accounts. The balanced tone allows emotional testimonies to carry weight without veering into sensationalism. Scholars’ reflections and personal anecdotes create depth, though the absence of traditional dramatic performances limits emotional immersion. Ultimately, the film secures credible emotional engagement through its thoughtful presentation of voices.

  • Story & Flow 65

    In terms of story and flow, the documentary offers a coherent but occasionally uneven narration of historical events. The pacing shifts between focused case studies and broader context can disrupt narrative momentum, and portions resemble supplemental features rather than integrated segments. Nonetheless, the original framing of testimonies maintains engagement, and the film’s structured analysis offers an informative arc. The net effect is a moderately engaging but uneven storyline.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    When assessing sensory experience, Intent to Destroy provides a restrained yet effective audiovisual palette anchored by archival footage and clear sound design. The vintage photographs are presented with understated color grading, and the soundtrack underlines emotional beats without overwhelming the testimony. At times, the sensory elements recede behind dense information, but overall the film sustains a cohesive visual and auditory atmosphere that supports its historical focus.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Regarding rewatch factor, the documentary yields value primarily as a reference for deeper study rather than repeated entertainment. Its informative interviews and analytical structure offer enduring appeal for those interested in historical detail, but the linear presentation and limited narrative variation may diminish enjoyment on subsequent viewings. In summary, it holds lasting appeal mainly for focused revisits rather than casual replays.

Box office

Intent to Destroy Box Office

Intent to Destroy grossed $31,534 worldwide.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$31.5K

US & Canada
$31.5K
Videos

Intent to Destroy Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Intent to Destroy.

Intent to Destroy: Death, Denial & Depiction Trailer #1 (2017) | Movieclips Indie

Seen Intent to Destroy?

FAQ

Intent to Destroy FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Intent to Destroy, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Intent to Destroy?

Intent to Destroy runs 1 hour 55 minutes (115 minutes).

When was Intent to Destroy released?

Intent to Destroy was released on November 10, 2017.

Who directed Intent to Destroy?

Intent to Destroy was directed by Joe Berlinger.

More films by Joe Berlinger

Who is in the cast of Intent to Destroy?

Intent to Destroy stars Christian Bale, Eric Bogosian and Shohreh Aghdashloo, among 10 credited actors.

Where can I watch Intent to Destroy?

In the US, Intent to Destroy is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Intent to Destroy make at the box office?

Intent to Destroy grossed $31,534 worldwide.

How is Intent to Destroy rated?

Intent to Destroy has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, 75 on Metacritic and 48% on TMDB.

Does Intent to Destroy have a post-credit scene?

No. Intent to Destroy has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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