War films are oftentimes praised for being deeply rooted in history, and one of the most gripping, true-to-life war films ever put on screen is currently streaming on Netflix.
The 2014 biographical drama, directed by Clint Eastwood, tells the true story of Chris Kyle, played by Bradley Cooper, who became the deadliest marksman in US military history with 255 kills across four tours of the Iraq War.
Based on Kyle’s own memoir, American Sniper follows his journey from a Texas ranch hand and rodeo cowboy to a US Navy SEAL sniper, tracing both his extraordinary military record and the toll his service took on his marriage to wife Taya, played by Sienna Miller.
The film opened to a limited release on Christmas Day 2014 before going wide the following January, ultimately grossing over $547 million worldwide – making it Clint Eastwood’s highest-grossing film as director, and the 13th highest-grossing film of that year.
It went on to earn six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Actor for Cooper, and won Best Sound Editing.
Audiences on Rotten Tomatoes seem to agree with the awards, with one reviewer calling it “one of the best military movies ever made based on the legendary sniper Chris Kyle.”
Another described the tension as almost unbearable, writing: “Extremely tense. Give me anxiety to watch. Very well acted directed amazing true story. Have a glass of whiskey while you watch it for your nerves.”
Cooper’s performance in particular has stuck with viewers, as one argued simply: “Cooper should have won the Oscar.” Another reflected on the film’s emotional weight: “Its a great movie, sad, gnarly and very realistic. Rest in peace, Chris Kyle.”
The film isn’t without its critics, and its portrayal of both Kyle and the Iraq War more broadly sparked debate on release, with some praising its realism and others questioning its framing of the conflict.
Still, reviews include adjectives such as “peak cinema,” or focus on the film’s more human, grounded approach to depicting military life. One fan said it’s “a movie that humanizes our soldiers and the struggles they face.”
American Sniper is available to watch on Netflix.
