The Messenger (2009): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
The Messenger is a 2009 romantic drama directed by Oren Moverman, starring Woody Harrelson, Ben Foster and Samantha Morton. It runs 1 hour 53 minutes and earned $1.6 million worldwide on a $6.5 million budget. It won 1 award from 10 nominations, among them 2 Oscar nominations. Critics gave it 77 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 53m (113 min)
- Director
- Oren Moverman
- Original language
-
Polish - Studio
- Oscilloscope Pictures
- Budget
- $6.5M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Messenger About?
The premise of The Messenger without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Returning from deployment in Iraq, soldier Will Montgomery is assigned to the difficult task of notifying families of fallen soldiers. Partnered with Tony Stone, he carries the heavy responsibility of delivering these life-altering notifications. While navigating his mission, Will seeks comfort back home, but his emotional state is challenged when he meets Olivia, a woman grappling with her own profound loss. Through his experiences, the film explores themes of grief, resilience, and the enduring power of human connection.
The Messenger Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- female full frontal nudity
- casualty notification team
- respect
- workout
- soldier
- taxi
- ptsd post traumatic stress disorder
- 21st century
- pubic hair
- female pubic hair
- female topless nudity
- casualty notification
+38 more Show fewer
- staff sergeant
- captain
- sergeant
- improvised explosive device
- recovering alcoholic
- grief
- crying woman
- dark comedy
- death notification
- punching a hole in a wall
- acting
- sunrise
- humvee
- giving a toast
- parking lot
- cat
- fire fight
- plant nursery
- pushing someone from behind
- coffee
- hispanic american
- spanish
- translator
- secret marriage
- military manual
- ice cream truck
- u.s. secretary of the army
- car accident
- punching one's fist into a wall
- watching through a window
- listening to a radio
- car radio
- thrice married
- hanging from a rooftop
- rooftop
- asking for forgiveness
- last words
- kindness
The Messenger Cast
Woody Harrelson leads the cast, with Ben Foster and Samantha Morton. Directed by Oren Moverman.
-
Director Oren Moverman
More from Oren Moverman
More films directed by Oren Moverman, best-rated first: Time Out of Mind, Rampart and The Dinner.
The Messenger Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Messenger 77 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.
-
IMDb 7.1 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 77 Metascore
User score 7.1
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 67% User score
See on TMDB
The Messenger Plot Summary
What happens in The Messenger from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
On leave from the Iraq War, Will Montgomery is a U.S. Army staff sergeant who has earned commendations for his bravery but struggles with PTSD and a combat-caused injury to his left eye. His only emotional anchor is his childhood sweetheart, Kelly, who couldn’t wait for him and is now engaged to someone else.
Before his discharge, he is dispatched as a casualty notification officer alongside Captain Tony Stone, a Gulf War veteran who has not seen combat and acts as the more procedural mentor. Stone lays out the grim protocol—the need to offer no hugs or premature comfort and to keep distance from grieving families—before their first assignments begin.
Full summary
The whole story of The Messenger, scene by scene
The Messenger Box Office & Budget
The Messenger grossed $1.6 million worldwide on a $6.5 million budget, 25% of what it cost. $1.1 million came from the US and Canada and $485,757 (30%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$1.6M
25% of its budget back
- US & Canada
- $1.1M
- International
- $485.8K
- Budget
- $6.5M
The Messenger Awards & Nominations
The Messenger won 1 award from 10 nominations, among them 2 Oscar nominations. Its biggest night was the Spirit Awards 2010, with 1 win from 4 nominations.
1 win10 nominations5 ceremonies
-
Spirit Awards 2010 1 win · 4 nominations- Won Best Supporting Male – Woody Harrelson
- Nominated Best First Feature
- Nominated Best Screenplay
- Nominated Best Supporting Female – Samantha Morton
-
Critics' Choice 2010 2 nominations- Nominated Best Supporting Actor – Woody Harrelson
- Nominated Best Supporting Actress – Samantha Morton
-
Oscars 2010 2 nominations- Nominated Actor in a Supporting Role – Woody Harrelson
- Nominated Writing (Original Screenplay)
-
Actor Awards (SAG) 2010 1 nomination- Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role – Woody Harrelson
Show all 5 ceremonies Show fewer ceremonies
-
Golden Globes 2010 1 nomination- Nominated Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama, Musical or Comedy – Woody Harrelson
The Messenger Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Messenger.
How Well Do You Know The Messenger?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is Will Montgomery's military rank in the film?
Cars in The Messenger
24 cars on screen, including the 2008 Ford Taurus and the 1999 Jeep Cherokee.
-
2008 Ford Taurus Main role -
1999 Jeep Cherokee Important role -
1992 Chevrolet Caprice Minor role -
1998 Ford Contour Minor role
The Messenger Also Known As
21 alternative titles, including “Oltre le regole” and “A harcmező hírnökei”.
- Also known as
-
- Oltre le regole
- A harcmező hírnökei
- O Mensageiro
- Xəbərçi
- Oltre le regole - The Messenger
- The Messenger - Die letzte Nachricht
- Посланник
- Haberci
- El mensajero
- 信使
- Παράπλευρες Απώλειες
- השליח
+9 more Show fewer
- Mesagerul
- Вестоносецът
- 天堂信差
- 메신저
- W imieniu armii
- メッセンジャー
- Посланець
- Posel
- Le messager
Seen The Messenger?
Movies Like The Messenger
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Messenger, The Messenger and Sgt. Will Gardner.
The Messenger FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The Messenger, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Messenger?
The Messenger runs 1 hour 53 minutes (113 minutes).
When was The Messenger released?
The Messenger was released on November 13, 2009.
Who directed The Messenger?
The Messenger was directed by Oren Moverman.
More films by Oren Moverman Who is in the cast of The Messenger?
The Messenger stars Woody Harrelson, Ben Foster and Samantha Morton.
How much did The Messenger make at the box office?
The Messenger grossed $1.6 million worldwide ($1.1 million domestic, $485,757 international) on a budget of $6.5 million.
How is The Messenger rated?
The Messenger has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 77 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.
What awards did The Messenger win?
The Messenger won 1 award from 10 nominations, including Best Supporting Male at the Spirit Awards 2010.
Does The Messenger have a post-credit scene?
No. The Messenger has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
