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Drama thriller

The Wall (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Wall (2017) movie poster

The Wall is a 2017 drama thriller directed by Doug Liman, starring John Cena, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Laith Nakli. It runs 1 hour 28 minutes and earned $4.5 million worldwide on a $3 million budget. Critics gave it 57 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10.

IMDb rating
6.2/10
worldwide gross
$4.5M
Echo Score
65
Metascore
57
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The Wall (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 28m (88 min)
Director
Doug Liman
Genres
Drama , Thriller , War
Original language
English
Budget
$3M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Wall About?

The premise of The Wall without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Four ambitious female climbers are striving for Olympic success when the unexpected COVID-19 pandemic abruptly disrupts their training and aspirations. Forced to confront unforeseen challenges, they must find strength and resilience as they navigate a world in crisis and redefine their understanding of perseverance and the pursuit of their dreams.

The Wall Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • sniper
  • soldier
  • deception
  • wound
  • helicopter shot down
  • duel
  • taunting
  • helicopter
  • marksman
  • friend
  • sharpshooter
  • view through rifle scope
+38 more
  • ambush
  • wounded soldier
  • stone wall
  • tourniquet
  • self surgery
  • removing a bullet
  • crow
  • bottle of water
  • skittle
  • signal mirror
  • belly crawl
  • uh 1 huey helicopter
  • shot multiple times
  • medivac
  • helicopter crash
  • rifle
  • long range rifle
  • reference to edgar allan poe
  • desert
  • removing an object from a wound
  • removing a bullet from a wound
  • american soldier
  • iraq war
  • iraq
  • spotter
  • year 2007
  • gunshot wound
  • 2000s
  • sniper rifle
  • scoped rifle
  • dead body
  • iraqi insurgent
  • oil pipeline
  • u.s. army
  • shot by a sniper
  • sniper fire
  • shot in the leg
  • shot in the stomach
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Cast & crew

The Wall Cast

John Cena leads the cast, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Laith Nakli. Directed by Doug Liman.

From the director

More from Doug Liman

More films directed by Doug Liman, best-rated first: The Bourne Identity, American Made, Go and Swingers.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Wall Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Wall 57 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 65/100, strongest in sensory experience (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (40).

65 /100

The Wall Echo Score Breakdown

The Wall presents a blend of visual mastery and narrative unevenness that yields a moderately engaging experience. Critics and users alike commend the commanding direction and striking desert cinematography, yet they often note a heavy-handed thematic approach and irregular pacing. The performances by the leads earn consistent praise, though some dialogue comes across as clichéd and burdensome. While its tense atmosphere can be absorbing at times, the film’s abrupt ending and constrained plot limit its overall impact.

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 excels through its meticulous direction and visually arresting cinematography. Reviewers highlight commanding camera work, sharply composed desert frames, and a coherent production aesthetic. The editing sustains the stark atmosphere, though transitions occasionally feel abrupt. Overall, the visual design delivers a powerful sense of place and mood.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    In terms of character and emotion, performances stand out as a primary strength. Critics praise the leads’ nuanced portrayals and riveting chemistry under pressure. However, the actors occasionally deliver dialogue that feels overly didactic and clichéd, which undermines emotional authenticity. The film offers compelling individual moments, yet the uneven writing tempers some of the emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 55

    When it comes to story and flow, the narrative offers thoughtful thematic underpinnings alongside suspenseful sequences. Reviewers note a lean, character-driven framework with occasional tension spikes and clever twists. Nevertheless, the plot suffers from uneven pacing, blunt political messaging, and an abrupt resolution that fails to fully cohere. Altogether, the story intrigues intermittently but lacks consistent engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    In terms of sensory experience, the movie immerses viewers in a tactile desert environment through sound design and visual stylization. Critics emphasize the palpable dust, glaring sunlight, and stark soundscape that heighten tension. The soundtrack supports the atmosphere without overpowering it. Collectively, these elements forge an effective and cohesive sensory presence.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    Regarding rewatch factor, the film offers moments of tension and strong performances that could reward a second viewing. However, its blunt thematic delivery, uneven script, and unresolved ending diminish lasting appeal. While the visual and atmospheric strengths may warrant revisiting, the overall exhausting tone and narrative constraints limit its replay value.

Plot

The Wall Plot Summary

What happens in The Wall from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Shane Matthews (John Cena), a skilled sniper, is deployed to investigate a pipeline construction site located in the harsh desert of Iraq, alongside his spotter, Sergeant Allen Isaac (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). The duo endures a tense 22-hour wait in overwatch before they determine that the area appears safe. However, as Matthews proceeds to examine the site, he is suddenly shot by an elusive Iraqi sniper.

Full summary

The whole story of The Wall, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Wall Box Office & Budget

The Wall grossed $4.5 million worldwide on a $3 million budget, 1.5 times what it cost. $1.8 million came from the US and Canada and $2.7 million (60%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$4.5M

1.5× its budget

US & Canada
$1.8M
International
$2.7M
Budget
$3M
US & Canada 40% Rest of the world 60%
Videos

The Wall Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Wall.

Official US Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Wall?

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who plays the role of Staff Sergeant Shane Matthews?

Cars

Cars in The Wall

5 cars on screen, including the 1992 Mitsubishi Montero and the Caterpillar D-Series.

All 5 cars
  • 1992 Mitsubishi Montero in The Wall 1992 Mitsubishi Montero Minor role
  • Caterpillar D-Series in The Wall Caterpillar D-Series Background role
  • 1999 Ford F-Series in The Wall 1999 Ford F-Series Background role
  • Lift King LK12000 in The Wall Lift King LK12000 Background role
Details

The Wall Also Known As

23 alternative titles, including “En la mira del francotirador” and “Na Mira do Atirador”.

Also known as
  • En la mira del francotirador
  • Na Mira do Atirador
  • Стена
  • 生死之墙
  • Sniper: Duvar
  • Ο Τοίχος
  • O Muro
  • El Muro
  • הצלף
  • 危牆狙擊
  • Zeď
  • 더 월
+11 more
  • A fal
  • Стената
  • ザ・ウォール
  • 危牆殺戮
  • Bức Tường
  • Siena
  • สมรภูมิกำแพงนรก
  • Stenmuren
  • Zidul
  • Стіна
  • Zid

Seen The Wall?

FAQ

The Wall FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Wall, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Wall?

The Wall runs 1 hour 28 minutes (88 minutes).

When was The Wall released?

The Wall was released on May 12, 2017.

Who directed The Wall?

The Wall was directed by Doug Liman.

More films by Doug Liman

Who is in the cast of The Wall?

The Wall stars John Cena, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Laith Nakli.

How much did The Wall make at the box office?

The Wall grossed $4.5 million worldwide ($1.8 million domestic, $2.7 million international) on a budget of $3 million.

How is The Wall rated?

The Wall has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 57 on Metacritic, 64% on TMDB and 3.0/5 on Letterboxd.

Does The Wall have a post-credit scene?

No. The Wall has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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