Watch The Wall

The Wall is a tense and gripping war thriller directed by Doug Liman, starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, John Cena, and Laith Nakli. The film is set in Iraq in 2007 during the Iraq War, and follows two American soldiers, Isaac (Taylor-Johnson) and Matthews (Cena), who are on a mission to investigate a pipeline construction site in the desert. When they arrive, they discover that the site is abandoned and have to wait for extraction. While waiting, they are targeted by an unseen sniper, who shoots Matthews and pins Isaac down behind a crumbling wall. The sniper, named Juba (Nakli), begins a deadly psychological game of cat and mouse with Isaac, using the radio to taunt and threaten him.

The majority of the film takes place at the wall, with Isaac desperately trying to survive and outsmart Juba while wounded and dehydrated. The tense atmosphere created by Liman's direction and the minimalist score by composer Junkie XL, adds to the oppressive and claustrophobic nature of the situation. Aaron Taylor-Johnson gives a stunning performance as Isaac, carrying the majority of the film on his shoulders with his emotional range and physicality. Similarly, Laith Nakli’s portrayal of Juba is both chilling and captivating, adding to the psychological tension of the film. John Cena's character, Matthews, is not on screen for much of the movie, but gives a solid performance during his brief time in the film.

The Wall explores themes of the morality of war and the vulnerability of soldiers. It depicts the psychological toll that war can take on a person, and the intensity of the bond between soldiers in life-and-death situations. The characters’ respective interpretations of what it means to be a good soldier, how war affects their lives and what they are willing to do to survive make for a thought-provoking discourse. Through the isolated setting of the wall, the film highlights just how crucial the dynamics between soldiers can be. The brief amount of time that Matthews spends on screen with Isaac provides a stark contrast to Isaac's situation after he is left alone.

The cinematography used in this film is breathtaking, with cinematographer Roman Vasyanov capturing the stark desert landscape and the claustrophobic confines of the wall. The camera angles are integral to the portrayal of Isaac's journey and the impact of Juba's behavior on his mental state, highlighting the fear, desperation and hopelessness of being in a war zone.

The Wall is a film that rises above simple genre exercises and provides nuanced, complex portraits of both the impact of war on individuals, and the blurry line between honorable killing and brutal sadism that can often come with it. It is a thoroughly engaging and suspenseful experience, offering a sharp commentary on the nature of American involvement in the larger geopolitical conflicts of the early 21st century. It showcases the abilities of the director and the actors, to create a modern war movie that is as thrilling as it is thought-provoking.

Overall, The Wall is a film that is not to be missed. Liman and his production team create an immersive and unforgettable experience that will have audiences on the edge of their seats. The incredible performances by the cast coupled with cinematography of the highest standard distinguishes the movie as an important statement on the nature of war and its aftereffects. Whether you are a fan of war movies or not, The Wall is an intelligent and moving film that will leave a lasting impression on audiences.

The Wall is a 2017 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2 and a MetaScore of 57.