Watch Battle Scars

As a trained fighter in Iraq, Luke Stephens (Zane Holtz) thought his toughest battle would be in the warzone. However, upon his return to the United States, he finds that the war has followed him home. He is suffering from PTSD and cannot find peace with the life he left behind. His fiancée (Heather McComb) has moved on and his family struggles to understand him.

Luke's life takes an unexpected turn when he comes across a veteran (Fairuza Balk) who is also struggling with PTSD. Although the two initially have their issues, they soon find common ground in their shared struggle. As they both work towards healing, Luke becomes compelled to help his new veteran friend fight her own battles.

Despite the challenges, Luke's life starts to improve; his sleeping patterns begin to stabilize, and he begins to feel more comfortable around his family. However, this progress does not last long, as he finds that the new drug epidemic in his neighborhood has directly impacted his family.

Battle Scars is a movie that tackles the subject of PTSD in returning soldiers as well as the drug epidemic that is ravaging many American communities. The movie revolves around Luke, who is trying to regain his footing and find purpose in life after his traumatic experiences in Iraq. As he goes through his journey, he learns how to confront the internal and external forces that keep him bound to his trauma.

Zane Holtz delivers an excellent performance; his portrayal of a war veteran battling with PTSD is realistic and deep. He captures the internal conflict that many veterans face as they try to reintegrate themselves back into society. He brings grit and vulnerability to the screen, making it clear that his character is struggling to find a place in a world that no longer recognizes him.

In Battle Scars, the theme of the drug epidemic is also a significant issue that the movie grapples with. The film shows how the opioid crisis is tearing apart communities, families, and individuals alike. It presents a stark picture of the challenges that people face in these communities and how drug addiction can create a ripple effect that can impact everyone.

The movie also highlights the healing process for those suffering from PTSD. Through Luke's journey, the audience sees the difficulties of the journey to recovery and how painful it can be. The movie shows that sometimes, the best way to heal is to help someone else find a way to heal.

Fairuza Balk also delivers a strong performance as a veteran struggling with PTSD. Her character is tough and unyielding, yet vulnerable and in need of help. The way her character and Luke's evolve over the course of the movie adds a layer of complexity that keeps the audience interested in what happens next.

Heather McComb's depiction of Luke's former fiancée, Alicia also deserves credit as her performance perfectly completes the emotional turmoil in the film. There is a constant push and pull between her character and Luke that is both painful and relatable.

Finally, the film's direction is excellent, and the gritty look of the film perfectly matches the subject matter. The movie is shot with a style that reflects the hard-hitting emotions of the story.

Overall, Battle Scars is an emotionally powerful film that dives deep into the traumatic experiences of soldiers returning from war and the effects of PTSD. The film is an excellent representation of the fears and concerns of many soldiers, veterans, and families, and how they can confront them. While the subject matter is serious, the film also shows that there is always hope for those suffering from PTSD, and that they are not alone.

Battle Scars is a 2017 war movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5.