"Guy Ritchie's The Covenant" (or simply "The Covenant") is a gripping 2023 American action thriller, masterfully co-written, produced, and directed by the renowned Guy Ritchie. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Dar Salim, the film plunges into the heart of the War in Afghanistan, following the perilous journey of a U.S. Army Green Beret sergeant and his Afghan interpreter as they confront the Taliban.
Synopsis:
Set in March 2018, amidst the tumultuous backdrop of the War in Afghanistan, the narrative unfolds as U.S. Army Special Forces Master Sergeant John Kinley and his unit face a devastating ambush by the Taliban. Following the death of his interpreter in the attack, Kinley is paired with Ahmed Abdullah, an interpreter with a mysterious past.
As the story progresses, Kinley discovers Ahmed's previous ties to the Taliban and the personal tragedy that turned him against the organization. The duo soon finds themselves isolated and battling against overwhelming odds, forging an unbreakable bond of trust and survival.
Cast and Characters:
- Jake Gyllenhaal as Master Sgt. John Kinley: The resilient U.S. Army Green Beret sergeant determined to navigate the treacherous terrains of Afghanistan.
- Dar Salim as Ahmed Abdullah Yousfi: The enigmatic Afghan interpreter with a past intertwined with the Taliban.
Where to Stream
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Canada (CA):
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Production Details:
Announced in October 2021 with Jake Gyllenhaal as the lead, the film underwent a title change from "The Interpreter" to "The Covenant" by December 2022. Filming commenced in February 2022 in various locations in Spain, including Alicante, Sax, Villajoyosa, and Zaragoza.
The film was later officially titled "Guy Ritchie's The Covenant" to distinguish it from another film with a similar name.
Release: Released in the U.S. on April 21, 2023, by MGM, the film later saw a digital release on May 9, with Blu-ray and DVD releases following on June 20. Amazon Prime Video began streaming the movie in Canada on June 16, 2023.
Reception and Awards:
The film opened to a box office collection of $6.3 million in its debut weekend. Critics gave it a favorable reception, with Rotten Tomatoes rating it at 83% based on 116 reviews and Metacritic assigning a score of 63 out of 100. The audience response was overwhelmingly positive, with CinemaScore grading it an "A" and PostTrak reporting a 92% positive score.
Trivia and Fun Facts:
- The film's ending title reveals a harrowing fact: post the Taliban's recapture of Afghanistan, over 300 Afghan interpreters affiliated with the U.S. military were killed by the organization, with thousands more in hiding.
- The film underwent a title change from "The Interpreter" to "The Covenant" in December 2022 to avoid confusion with another film.
"Guy Ritchie's The Covenant" stands as a testament to the human spirit, resilience, and the bonds forged in the crucible of war.