Watch The Contractor

The Contractor, a 2022 action thriller, stars Chris Pine as James Harper, a Special Forces Sergeant who is unexpectedly discharged from the military under less than honorable circumstances. Faced with a precarious future and struggling to adjust to civilian life, Harper must contend with the challenges of providing for his family and dealing with a debilitating knee injury sustained during his service.

Harper's life takes a sharp turn when he joins a private contracting organization in an attempt to sustain his family's financial stability. The organization, run by a man named Rusty, played by Kiefer Sutherland, offers Harper an opportunity that seems too good to refuse—a lucrative payout for a seemingly straightforward mission overseas. This path reunites him with an old comrade, Mike, portrayed by Ben Foster, further convincing Harper that the decision to join the private sector is the right one.

However, as he delves deeper into the shadowy world of private military contracting, Harper soon discovers that the job he's taken is far more complicated and morally ambiguous than he initially thought. Amidst the murky ethics of his new line of work, Harper must navigate a dangerous geopolitical landscape, teeming with professional killers and covert operations that threaten to drag him into a global conspiracy.

Gillian Jacobs plays Harper's wife, Brianne, who is left to manage their home life and care for their young son, Jack, played by Sander Thomas, while Harper is away. The movie delves into issues of loyalty and trust, as Brianne tries to reconcile her husband's secretive line of work with the needs of their family. She is a pillar of strength, yet struggles with the uncertainties brought about by Harper's new job, which could just as easily tear their family apart as it could keep them afloat.

The Contractor masterfully accommodates adrenaline-fueled action sequences with high-intensity combat scenes and tactical engagements, showcasing Pine's physicality and commitment to the role. The film is directed by Tarik Saleh, and the script, penned by J.P. Davis, dives into the ramifications of privatized warfare and the toll it takes on soldiers who often find themselves treated as disposable assets by a faceless corporation seeking profit over human life.

As Harper traverses treacherous terrain and faces ethical dilemmas, he is forced to confront the true nature of his work: a dangerous balance of survival, allegiance, and the quest for a semblance of honor in a dishonorable situation. His skills and strategic acumen are put to the test, often resulting in intense confrontations and a requirement to improvise in life-threatening scenarios.

The backdrop for Harper's mission is vividly realized, immersing the audience in an authentic and gritty depiction of various international locales. The global setting provides both dynamic visual landscapes and a sense of urgency that underpins the narrative, driving the tension ever higher as the story progresses.

Equally integral to The Contractor is its exploration of the human cost of warfare, both for those serving and their families. The film does not shy away from the emotional and psychological scars borne by veterans, especially those who are unceremoniously discarded by the system they served. Through intense personal struggle and haunting past experiences, The Contractor confronts themes of betrayal, redemption, and the search for identity outside of the uniform.

The film's craftsmanship extends to its cinematography and sound design, which elevate the intensity and immersion of the action sequences, while also capturing quieter, more introspective moments with precision and sensitivity. This duality mirrors Harper's internal struggle as he oscillates between his violent work and his desire for familial connection and normalcy.

Critics have appreciated Pine's compelling performance as the lead; he effectively embodies the conflict of a man torn between his deeply ingrained sense of duty and the undercurrents of exploitation and injustice inherent in the world of private military contractors. Likewise, Sutherland's portrayal of Rusty offers a nuanced look at the enigmatic and often ruthless nature of those pulling the strings behind the scenes.

The Contractor, while furnishing its share of explosive, heart-pounding sequences, is not merely a tale of bullets and brawn. It is a story that wrestles with weighty ethical questions and the repercussions of warfare, both waged on the battlefield and within the soul. The film stands as a testament to the talent of its cast and crew and delivers a viewing experience that is both thought-provoking and exhilarating.

The Contractor is a 2022 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 43 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8 and a MetaScore of 52.