Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant Movie Review
Nathan Swank
April 18th, 2023
GUY RITCHIE’S THE COVENANT (yes, that’s the full title) is a fairly intense wartime rescue film that is at times thrilling while simultaneously somewhat middle of the road. Taking place during the last decade of US military involvement and subsequent departure of Afghanistan, THE COVENANT is not specifically based upon any true story, but rather situations that have occurred utilizing the help of interpreters.
Following US Army Sergeant John Kinley (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Afghan interpreter Ahmed (Dar Salim), GUY RITCHIE’S THE COVENANT is the heroic story of Ahmed’s determination to keep Sergeant Kinley alive while avoiding the Taliban. Kinley must repay his life debt to rescue Ahmed and his family after learning they never received their promised free passage to America and are now on the run, hiding from the Taliban.
I am not in the military, so commenting on accuracy or realism is not where my expertise comes in. However, as an audience member I am always impressed and in awe of those who serve. The discipline, action, and heroism displayed in THE COVENANT is mind-blowing and it still may not even hold a candle to the real thing. Those moments on screen sharing the bravery of these men in action is never lost and is when the film is at its best. Even knowing the likely outcome simply from a story standpoint does not fully diminish some of the intensity that is clearly felt as we watch these men try to survive.
In contrast, I am a family man. And as a family man, the moments involving Kinley’s home life left a lot to be desired. I want to be clear that the struggles and hardships any active duty soldier might feel being home is definitely warranted, but how director Guy Ritchie chose to show lacked a certain sincerity and emotion. A long nightmarish montage is completely unnecessary when minutes later Gyllenhaal gives a far more effective monologue that reveals those same powerful feelings. The after-school special style of montaging his restless sleep only cheapens the more visceral human emotions that are warranted for the situation. Likewise, when Kinley’s wife later gives a rather theatrical speech supporting her husband, she coldly walks out of the room without the spousal physical affection that would match the heartfelt words she is speaking. Similarly, when Kinley is saying goodbye to his family for perhaps the last time, his hug to his children is a throwaway casual after thought rather than a warm embrace getting down at their level. I’m not saying things like this don’t happen, but I don’t believe they happen within the characters and story that is being presented and it’s definitely a far less effective way to create sympathy.
GUY RITCHIE’S THE COVENANT is a capable film that I think will generally be enjoyed by those who seek it out. But when comparing it to virtually any other military, war, action, or rescue film, it unfortunately falls short of being anything close to great. Gyllenhaal and Salim are terrific as the leads with an added support from Antony Starr (The Boys). Guy Ritchie understands action, but seems to miss the mark when it comes to emotional presence. The heroics of these two men specifically and their story is quite incredible, but the film doesn’t quite do them the justice they deserve. Still, THE COVENANT is worth a watch for those who like to see at least the smallest glimpse of some of the very real struggles fighting the Taliban and the heroism of Afghan interpreters.
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