The Messenger (2009)

Ben Foster - 'Staff Sgt Will Montgomery'
Woody Harrelson - 'Captain Tony Stone'
Samantha Morton - 'Olivia Pitterson'
While on a recent deployment to Iraq, US Army Staff Sergeant Will Montgomery is injured when an improvised explosive device goes off within close proximity to him. He is back in the States recovering from the more serious of those injuries, including one to his eye and leg. He has resumed a sexual relationship with his long time girlfriend Kelly, despite the fact that she is now engaged to another man who Will knows. With the few months Will has left in his enlistment, the army assigns him to the Casualty Notification Team in his area. Not having a background in counseling, psychology or grief management, he is unsure if he is well suited to this job. He is partnered with a career soldier, Captain Tony Stone, who teaches Will the precise protocol involved in the job. Tony tells Will, who quickly learns by on the job experience, that this job has its own dangers. As Will learns to adapt to the range of emotions of the next of kin

[@ElcoMoyer]

Theres some top tier acting in this film. Highly underrated.

[@megamar]

Ben Foster is incredible in this movie.

[@cliffordcrimson7124]

Except for every single person besides the wife/fiance woman

[@yusufalsanad]

@@cliffordcrimson7124 The mother's "crying" cracked me up, just the sound she makes, man. XD ...I can see someone crying that way, and it's not supposed to be "pretty" or "clean" I know, but come on. Haha

[@iamthepapi6251]

Well yeah Woody Harrelson's in this movie. Lol.

[@johnnyallthecash2742]

The mother and daughter actresses are next level.

[@camerontoy8154]

She’s in Chicago Med

[@SFranc]

The mother for sure

[@etchedinstone7562]

Rough scene

[@MegaKat]

they absolutely are. I've spent a better part of twenty years hearing momma's scream for their dead babies, and this lady absolutely took the cake. Only other that's comparative is Toni Collette I'm Hereditary.

[@ironheadfm]

The young woman is his girlfriend. So she isn't the daughter, unless we have a brother-sister love affair here.

[@matthewalmont1272]

The mother responding to them with "You gotta go" always crushes me, there's a lot of little details in the human interactions in this film that make it seem so realistic.

[@liamisaac1152]

It felt way too real having experienced loss and the denial. Anything to divert from the pain

[@folarinosibodu]

Best acting in decades. They didn't even show Yaya break down yet her performance brought me to tears.

[@dude9318]

I don't understand why they get mad and the guys there Its not their fault that he is dead I understand the grief and anger But I dont understand the anger towards them

[@Kwak444]

I could not stand by and be stone faced and watch a family realize that it just got torn apart. What a difficult job these guys have.

[@ryanhynes6596]

well, they rotate the people who do this. this really isn't an assigned job. this is more of a temporary duty.

[@CentauroVici]

It’s a non-combat MOS but it’s still hard.

[@vanguardknight0490]

@@ryanhynes6596 temporary or not you can tell this is really tough. Would you continue life normally if a week ago you talked to a family knowing full well they're loved one died. I probably be stressed for a long time Edit: just realized I'm 2 years late

[@rayhanes1347]

These women set this scene on fire.

[@mississippidixie4069]

Correction: Women

[@francocruz5135]

@@mississippidixie4069 no correction needed

[@yusufalsanad]

@@mississippidixie4069 Troll. XD

[@IanLeoTV]

Very sad scene. U can tell that the girlfriend kind of suspected what happened to the boyfriend but she didn't wanna believe it, so she didn't say anything at first

[@theZinator]

Ian Leo she knew as soon as she saw them

[@YouTubeExplore777]

Sad

[@jaychowdhury116]

She knew she was just trying to deny it and not believe or accept it in the beginning

[@PatoniSinsi]

First stage in grieving is denial after all.

[@IndyDefense]

She even sort of admitted it when she said "I am Mrs., or I was gonna be."

[@caesarplaysgames]

I really don’t understand how the actress who played the mother was able to get herself into that state for this scene. She must’ve been drawing on some pretty serious emotions to give that kind of performance. That can’t be fun for her, but it definitely results in amazing acting.

[@bolobalaman]

Yeah i wonder why she isn’t famous. Her acting is great

[@TheNomadWandering]

You make yourself believe what you are saying

[@matthewalmont1272]

The mother responding to them with "You gotta go" always crushes me, there's a lot of little details in the human interactions in this film that make it seem so realistic.

[@deneshbhaskar3944]

some people just can act man. Shes a fat black middle aged women..Thei isnt 1 million roles for her

[@ppiorkowski1502]

​​@@bolobalamany Uncle has worked in the business (Hollywood) for as long as I can remember. And that's going back to the 70s. He's even had Sydney Pollack personally seek him out to get TriStar Pictures established. From there he became the Vice President of a major company that handles the financial element for movies. He has said several times that the best actors in Hollywood the bartenders , waiters/waitresses , ect who work these jobs solely to go on auditions for whatever part they can land in a movie. They are all the unknowns like this hoping to one day break into the business.

[@NoName-tl1fd]

This job would fuck me up so bad

[@shawnvanhornison8449]

I really couldn't do this job.

[@ryanhynes6596]

this is not all that accurate. 3 guys show up, 1 is a chaplain and 1 is a medic and the other is a CNO (Casualty Notification Officer). The CNO will say "I have been asked to inform you that your son has been reported dead in [city, state, country] at 0700 on August 26, 1991. [Briefly state the circumstances.] On the behalf of the Secretary of Defense, I extend to you and your family my deepest sympathy in your great loss", and then he walks back to the car. This is when the chaplain and the medic will walk in and sit down if the notified wishes for it to happen. There is a 4th member of the team in the car if the notified gets violent. The team members will leave after they believe the situation is under control or if the notified requests them to.

[@brandonreyes1920]

as a civilian, "couldnt do this job" as you say and my response is dont worry its tragic enough being role played through

[@jrvlvr9741]

Who cares.........it's basically the same thing shown in the movie....show up and tell someone their kid got killed. Fuck that job

[@SamuraiBre]

@@jrvlvr9741 Wow your so edgy

[@matthewcolicigno8132]

You and about 99% of the population.

[@5thkiechannel]

these performances are really fucken solid

[@josephmccoy3937]

5th Kie... fucking**

[@5thkiechannel]

@@josephmccoy3937I’m british

[@kingkongchief1177]

The way they both turned around with the looks on their faces after the girl said “Sir…tell me” and then she started crying was the best and saddest part of this movie. Such great acting by all the actors in this scene.

[@waveali5620]

You can remain silent but your facial expression will eventually give you away. Wonderful acting here. Brutal scene.

[@mitchellsmith555]

I am part of the army notification unit. We are never that cold. Yes we only tell the next of kin. But we don't ignore the girlfriend. We are there to be compassionate in there time of sorrow.

[@alaandre004]

Mitchell Smith what if your given orders to tell the mother only

[@HerminiePA]

This may not be true in a big city, but the reason you don't ask for directions in a small town is that people will telephone ahead of you. When looking for a street, the townspeople will know who are the parents of soldiers who live on that street.

[@drstephenbecker]

I am a chaplain and have accompanied the CNO on many of these. It isn't quite as cold as it seems here, but they are always heart wrenching. It's Army policy to have a chaplain accompany the CNO whenever possible.

[@MuzzCat05]

In the 'early' times after the 2003 invasion, I imagine the experiences were used for new and updated protocols for this in the US. More recent experience may not emulate the lessons learnt from these

[@deneshbhaskar3944]

Mitchell Smith what your stating is false. You are not a soldier. This is a violation of stolen VALOR.

[@buzzizard907]

Had the Messenger visit my house in 1968 .. This brought back some Emotional Allergies ..

[@drstephenbecker]

As a military chaplain, I've done these with the CNO. It never gets easier. Ever .

[@deneshbhaskar3944]

Rev ur a coward . U haven't ever fought and u love comforting dead man's wives . Ur a sicko

[@drstephenbecker]

@@deneshbhaskar3944 Sir, despite your vulgarity and absolutely disrespect, God still loves you and I forgive you for being offensive to me. If you have ever had to do such a difficult assignment, you would be very humbled and, moreover, embarrassed at your comment. Casualty Notifications are not to be taken lightly and is one of the most difficult duties I've had to perform because the moment of the notification changes the NOK's lives forever. And if you count going out on to the battlefield WITHOUT a weapon, other than my faith, to minister to soldiers in battle, then you're right, I "haven't fought." Good day, Sir.

[@nicolasperron1432]

With all due respect Reverand... How can you in good conscience and rational thinking as a human being be that disrespectful and ironic to go announce a family that their loved one has died representing god ? If God was real trust me their loved one wouldn't be dead. That's a pretty dumb move for the military to do to families. I would be fucking pissed. As a first responder and someone who serves and has survived cancer I can tell you there is no god. Doctors and front line personnel save lives and make a difference not god. Because those brave soldiers, Marines, airmen and sailors would all still be alive. Most of them are believers too it's kinda of really stupid when you think about it... Again not disrespecting you in any way sir just trying to understand the logic behind it even though there really isn't. I think you are brave to do this and I know you give them the comfort they need in these horrible times. Thank you for your service and take care sir.

[@thelucky1336]

@@nicolasperron1432 I hope God finds you, you have a rough life

[@nicolasperron1432]

@@thelucky1336 I have a really good life thank you. The rough part was a long time ago. Probably hands down much better than yours. I don't need god.

[@molifiditshego7774]

To this day this scene is one of the heartbreaking moments ever in modern movies. OMG!!

[@ravinp371]

"OMG my house is a mess" the only thing she can think of except the inevitable truth. All she could do to protect her mind and soul was to say her house was a mess. I remember when I got the call that my cousin passed in September was think I have to do laundry and wash the dishes. That was it. I blocked out the phone call and kept busy.

[@alexthelion1342]

God bless you. I am sorry you experienced that.

[@deneshbhaskar3944]

Ur cousin was not a soldier so u can not relate . ... How dare u try to put him ahead of our troops

[@ravinp371]

@@deneshbhaskar3944 how dare you assume that because I said something about my cousin you automatically assumed that I've never had the phone call about a family member in the military lose their life. How dare you believe without knowing me that I haven't heard stories from my husband about his career in the ARMY and losing people. I brought my cousin up because sometimes it's harder to dig up what you've buried so deep. You don't know me. So please don't assume.

[@neauxvacancy4996]

I think it's more of a cultural thing. As a black American, this scene has far more weight because it's exactly how I've seen the women I've known act. She's pleading with him as if he's the arbiter of who is dead or not because often times black moms tend to believe it they don't hear it they can pretend it never happened. The "oh my God, my house is a mess" thing is also cultural. Black Americans (especially southern black Americans) are very aware of presentation and will not under any circumstance see guests in a house that is in disarray. It's another element to the "you shouldn't be here" theme that pervades the scene and makes it far more powerful with the cultural context. It's both "you shouldn't be here" and what I can assume is finding order in chaos. A lot of black moms go straight to cleaning if they're ever distressed, so with my non-existent psychology degree I can speculate the order in chaos thing has something to do with that.

[@isaiahcoleman7827]

Some people take the news differently than others, men take it hard when it is their wife, somebody they have been with since they were kids in school, that goes deeper because they were around them 9 months out of a year. I say that because mine has been dead 11 years and I still cry sometimes that is why just lately I told my daughter I will be getting all her photos and year book and putting them in something so she can take them home with her I want them out of the house.

[@SteaksauceandRob]

So underrated. One of the greatest war theme films ever. Reminded me a lot of the second half of the deer hunter.

[@pharoahlyte1594]

This is by far the hardest job in service! ... losing a brother is hard having to tell a mother, father, brother, or sister that their loved one gave the ultimate sacrifice is like dying all over again

[@doritos6893]

My dad is an Air Borne Ranger and when I was little,, when he was overseas out for a "hit" on Ussaim I cried myself to sleep. Thank you God he came back from the Gulf. thank you. thank; ;you

[@TaylorGangSkittles]

Today is Memorial Day. I wanna say thank you to the fallen and their families. RIP Heroes

[@Randombeing555]

I would cry before entering the family's door.

[@facetiousbadger]

Holy crap I could never do this. One of my good friends from my first deployment is on I&I duty, and consequently they end up doing tons of funerals She told me once that presenting the folded flag to the family is one of the hardest jobs she's ever done. And this is after they've had some time to reflect with their CACO helping them through the process. One of the guys in my old unit was a recruiter, so he did notifications. Then oneran out and tried to set his government car on fire.

[@darkflower2]

This. Scene. WRECKED me.

[@eddieyyy3]

My brother is a casualty notification officer, if that’s what they’re called, don’t really remember the correct term. He did say it was hard the first few times, but it quickly just became a job, and the sadness disappeared. The ONLY thing that still makes it sad for him is when dealing with the children of the casualty.

[@LoudaroundLincoln]

That's where the Romans had it right. No married men, no fathers. Aside from the financial and emotional distress how can you expect to maintain a relationship in those conditions. The Axis forces had brothels for their soldiers in the second world war. Just give the men a discount and make sure they use protection.

[@hover97]

@@LoudaroundLincoln I remember hearing stories about those brothels not really being moral....

[@mesa9724]

@@hover97 They were not moral because prostitution was and still is, depending on your view, immoral. However they were very picky on the brothels that were allowed and prostitutes were medically checked once a week.

[@hover97]

@@mesa9724 i meanf they were usually kidnapped women

[@mesa9724]

@@hover97 No, they weren’t. Rape was not allowed in occupied France and although it happened sporadically it was heavily punished. Paris at the time was known for it’s excess in adult entertainment and there was no shortage of brothels and prostitutes for the occupying troops. Furthermore, only the cleanest brothels were allowed to operate to prevent the soldier from getting STDs. In fact after the Normandy landings more than 300 woman were raped by American soldiers and about 28 soldiers were executed for this.

[@bolobalaman]

Ben Foster was speechless this whole scene as if he was awed how real his own fellow actor was

[@willbass82]

3:17 "Sir....TELL ME!" She already knows...nd Woody's look confirms it. Absolute genius writing nd acting!

[@dreamagery]

God bless and peace by the grace of Jesus on this memorial day.

[@janski1982]

Ben Foster is sooooo underrated!

[@foresight87]

This one was the saddest.

[@arnoldjack7956]

Pretty powerful stuff, all the notification scenes were extremely difficult to watch. Hats off to the production team of this movie

[@alli13941]

That made me cry.

[@kbholla]

Ok, yeah, that acting is pretty serious.

[@tomatoya]

영화지만 너무 슬퍼서 눈물이 난다.. 군인을 예우하지 않는 대한민국은 선진국의 자격이 없다. 전사한 모든 군인의 명복을 빕니다.

[@qball3835]

Pretty much spot on. This scene is especially authentic and have seen it dozens of times. It breaks your heart but its an honor to be able to honor the fallen. One interesting note though, I am amazed the movie didn't even hint at a Chaplain which is 9 times out of 10 one of the members of the notification team.

[@docwhispr]

i was wondering of that as well

[@Cankuwicasa]

"An honor to honor the fallen." What a bunch of glory hound bull shit. It's a damn tragedy to have to tell another of their child's death (even in a moral war). It's dumbasses like you who lead so many of our boys to their death for nothing at all honorable.

[@TheMrlittletooth]

Thats nice bro. He is talking about honoring dead people though. In a bullshit war or not.

[@ryanhynes6596]

this is not all that accurate. 3 guys show up, 1 is a chaplain and one is a medic and the other is a CNO (Casualty Notification Officer). The CNO will say "I have been asked to inform you that your son has been reported dead in [city, state, country] at 0700 on August 26, 1991. [Briefly state the circumstances.] On the behalf of the Secretary of Defense, I extend to you and your family my deepest sympathy in your great loss", and then he walks back to the car. This is when the chaplain and the medic will walk in and sit down if the notified wishes for it to happen. There is a 4th member of the team in the car if the notified gets violent. The team members will leave after they believe the situation is under control or if the notified requests them to.

[@HerminiePA]

After the Tet Offensive, there were not enough Chaplains. Ordinary officers had to do the notifications.

[@franksterg1955]

OMG! Such sadness. Its not just those who serve who pay the price. Thank God for my family who's support was complete when I served.

[@thanhho4943]

A really heart touching scene Woody harrelson did a very good job in this movie

[@facetiousbadger]

@mymovienerd Thanks for making the videos available. The notification scenes are tragic, but still beautiful. The reactions varied, but they still retain an authenticity that you don't always get in war movies. It's a shame that the rest of the movie wasn't so great. Foster, Harrelson, and the widow's characters never get fleshed out.

[@patriciaschuster1371]

No human should ever have to do this. No human should die for a stupid idea to help another country.

[@kendrickhoward2122]

Few things makes me cry every time is bad news from the army never could get that sound out my head 😢

[@matthewknudson8610]

Sad that "Brothers" got more attention that this.

[@THOMAS2910able]

Harrison got nominated and this is by far the superior movie

[@Trevor1997H]

Brothers has some of the best acting in any movie I’ve ever seen though.

[@Trevor1997H]

Man the scene at the end when he tears apart the kitchen. Just the pure rage and emotion is so genuine. And the way he acts so insecure about his wife and slowly moves further and further into madness. And jake gyllenhall is an amazing actor as well.

[@zerodood]

@@Trevor1997H Yes but the acting was the only thing that was stopping the movie from being completely terrible, the writing and direction were really poorly executed.

[@aprilspark3570]

I come here and watch this clip every time that I wanna cry.

[@CR0WYT]

You can tell on their faces that the buildup with the girlfriend, pregnancy, marriage, and dad being laid off only made it harder on them to say it.

[@clay3205]

During Vietnam, my father and my grandfather were both actively serving in the Army. Both were deployed at the same time. Fearing receipt of one of these visitors is bad enough, but knowing they could come TWICE and deliver this message? I dunno how my grandma handled it. I truly, truly dont.

[@PatoniSinsi]

I cry every time each family cries!

[@tvarielmoshe3977]

I cried from this movie

[@VinceFromCollateral]

this is hell on earth. one of the saddest scenes in film

[@71everlast]

The hardest thing I've ever done is notifying family that they have lost a loved one. That's exactly what its like.

[@ramonasp4989]

That, was Superb acting artistry ! Lord, how 5hey made me feel that pain ! GOD Bless and Give HIS strength to all who have to bare rhe burden of notiying families!

[@donnie2743]

I was 11 and still remember when an officer came to us in 1969 to tell us that my father was wounded in Vietnam. This is right on the mark

[@biganime40]

The toughest job in the military that's for sure

[@jonnycollison]

Incredible acting, mind bogglingly real.

[@becauseiwanttoseecommentsb984]

Boy, that's emotion was so raw.

[@souladventurer8911]

Wow. The acting is just... this are real, happening all thr time. That's why the writing, acting is spot on.

[@BxCortez2050]

Gotta be the absolute toughest gig in the service

[@sialeakauola4852]

Its sad surely. But when he said "yanky doodle went to town riding on a pony" was funny lol

[@Magnolia296]

Great, emotional and touching Drama/Romance/War movie with impressive storyline and fantastic acting. Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson and Samantha Morton were brilliant. Ben and Samantha made a very sweet screen couple

[@ball3677]

This job must be straight up traumatizing even with no combat involved. Seeing someone completely break down over the loss of a loved one is a very disturbing thing to experience. It stays with you forever.

[@massbaster7726]

Its easier to watch if you pretend the mom is laughing while going up the stairs

[@hitskeboy]

What a scene this had me in tears

[@asuas3115]

This is as real as acting gets! Wow! 👏

[@Fanfiktion1988]

This is one of the hardest scenes in this movie!

[@panasit]

Thanks for posting this. I don't like the whole movie but the visiting the family scenes are amazing.

[@Diogenes323]

The acting is so raw. I hurts my heart

[@TheAvargas687]

I can never do this job ,my goodness the grief would kill me ,what a hard job to have

[@imtired2983]

My God the girlfriend is so nervous. So real. This movie is underrated. Jeezuz. Everyone needs to see this . 🥺

[@knickerbockerflat]

As a junior officer in the Navy aboard a deployed ship, and also while stationed at an overseas base, I had to notify sailors under my command of the deaths of their family members -- sort of the inverse of this, but probably the worst part of my duties

[@CryosXp]

My dad had to do this It’s tough it really is

[@victormeza7859]

NEVER FEEL THE HURT UNTIL IT HITS HOME.// GOD BLESS AMERICA🇺🇸

[@Ajaws]

Jesus Christ everyone’s acting is on point

[@Fleur-de-lis_2_27]

God bless everyone that’s ever had to go through that

[@felipegl1]

Great actors make scenes like this one look and sound real

[@lizmoran4159]

This is such an underrated movie.

[@rustyshackleford5288]

At 3:56 Tony took that slap like a champ

[@melaninandbeautiful1926]

Rusty Shackleford they go through that

[@tanzeelnycfilms7033]

this is hardest thing to watch..thinking about people who do this messenger job

[@arielgatti8975]

The acting is....is...fantabulous. The viewer becomes a fly on the wall. And, it is afforded a horrific spectacle. Harrelson is great actor...a far cry from Cheer's Woody.

[@anjelheaven]

These actresses are incredible!

[@MoneyTrees2012]

This feels TOO real. Next level acting

[@tinihemara2634]

Sad 😥 my condolences to his family amen 🙏

[@mrchuy525]

Hard to watch but the acting is so great I keep watching.

[@HarbalGill]

This made me cry

[@lieutenantluna7554]

I'm sorry to hear that buddy.

[@wardogmobius]

Excellent acting and must see for anyone whole love top quality films.

[@jamielancaster01]

Thank god I was never tasked with this assignment.

[@reyramirez1817]

That is the hardest way to inform the relatives

[@jaronberig6386]

One job I don’t want to do in the army when I join. I would rather be in combat💔

[@wesleyvanreen1850]

This fim is to underated im not American but your way to honor your soldiers and the way you inform those families is brave and terrible. But its the duty of the army i gues

[@Morg8685]

it is really a sad job to deliver such bad news to people

[@ronaldrussell5481]

"For he must rule as king until God has put all enemies under his feet. And the last enemy death, is to be brought to nothing. ... But thanks to God, for he gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1Corinthians15:25,26,57

[@mauriceboykin4422]

The silent stare was. Bone chilling

[@rayhanes1347]

Who the hell was that lady that ran up stairs?!? She's amazing.

[@LordScrambles]

Christ, I can't imagine a worse job.

[@omgorangelollipop8184]

The "Sir" got him

[@felipemendes133]

God protect American soldiers

[@spleen5527]

He's done a shitty job.

[@ricktrindade2431]

but not the other soldiers?

[@Cankuwicasa]

Yes, protect them from those who glorify war and use them to pursue immoral goals.

[@al112v4]

God protect the rest of the world from America as a whole.

[@alexthelion1342]

Belive on Jesus Christ and have eternal life

[@Youtuber-qb7rx]

This is the hardest job on the face of the Earth.

[@EO-jr7li]

Every soldier and first responders is tough always have a clear line of retreat, never let an unknown between you and the door, everyone except these two.

[@mileshamblen9982]

I cry everytime

[@williampaulus1438]

They always know when you are walking to the door

[@_heavens_hell_97_64]

This job would break any mans spirit

[@capo200christian]

the sacrifice we all share

[@JasonP6339]

The acting in this scene...... Those ladies........ Holy shit