Shock and Awe

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Shock and Awe

R

2018

1h 30m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

28%

Tomatometer

46 Reviews

43%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

In 2003, as the Bush administration prepares to invade Iraq, skeptical journalists question the administration's claim that Saddam Hussein has weapons of mass destruction.

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Critics Consensus

Shock and Awe has a worthy story to tell and some fine actors trying to bring it to life; unfortunately, the end results are still as derivative as they are dramatically inert.

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Kate Taylor

Globe and Mail

Jul 27, 2018

1/4

This sadly derivative film has one too many screenings of All the President's Men written all over it.

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Bruce DeMara

Toronto Star

Jul 26, 2018

3/4

The story gives audiences an inside look at how journalism actually works at ground level, including the cultivation of sources, the use of "background" and off-the-record information. It has a strong feel of authenticity.

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David Fear

Rolling Stone

Jul 16, 2018

2/5

At its best, Shock and Awe still feels like it strains to be Spotlight-lite and comes up lacking. The title is a misnomer.

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Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

Feb 28, 2021

2/5

Movie has its heart in the right place but isn't angry or intrepid enough.

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Steven Prokopy

Third Coast Review

Jun 17, 2020

Harrelson and Marsden are quite good and have a professional chemistry that is right up there with some of the best newspaper dramas.

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Jason Best

Movie Talk

Feb 10, 2019

2/5

The clumsily on-the-nose dialogue sounds as though it was cribbed wholesale from Geopolitics for Dummies.

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Cinema S

@cinema_sensei Aug 20, 2026

Shock and Awe feels underrated, especially for how directly it questions the Iraq War narrative. It shows how fear and questionable intelligence were used to justify invading a Muslim country, while millions suffered and died. The film reportedly struggled at the box office, and its political message clearly wasn't for everyone. The pacing can be uneven and the filmmaking isn't exceptional, but its subject and perspective make it worth watching.

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Rolando R.

@RT22831182 Jun 12, 2026

i wish I knew about this movie sooner everyone knows the Media was fed LIES by BUSH Administration This is a MUST WATCH movie and You will See that TRUMP is not doing anything new he is just taking it to the next Level of LYING and Abuse of Power be careful WHO You listen to as evidenced by this movie based on Facts

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HotRod D

@HotRodD Mar 25, 2026

I watched this movie knowing the filmmaker was extremely biased Unfortunately he wasn’t able to put his political views aside and stick to the source material. This was a serious topic and could have been a good movie. But unfortunately the left vs right paradigm clouded the authenticity of this story. Rob Reiner shouldn’t be able to rewrite history the way he did here. I can’t recommend watching this movie at all Unless you’re a brainwashed liberal. Then you’ll love it

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thiago s

@Thiagostone Nov 11, 2025

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

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Gino m

@RT38890402 Oct 6, 2024

Reluctant opposition by the reviewers failure to acknowledge that American war interests are destroying this planet. Remember that American war machinery are what keeps them afloat globally. Does historic Rome ring a bell? This film offers the other side of the MSM processing of keeping the masses ignorant.

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Georgan G

@RT98616417 Feb 27, 2024

Sad to say, this movie is being ignored by the public like the journalists re WMD in Iraq. This war was just like Vietnam. Totally unnecessary.

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Rob Reiner

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Jonathan Landay

James Marsden

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Shock and Awe: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In 2003, as the Bush administration prepares to invade Iraq, skeptical journalists question the administration's claim that Saddam Hussein has weapons of mass destruction.

Director: Rob Reiner
Producer: Rob Reiner, Matthew George, Michele Singer, Elizabeth A. Bell
Screenwriter: Joey Hartstone
Distributor: Vertical Entertainment
Production Co: Castle Rock Entertainment, Savvy Media Holdings, Acacia Filmed Entertainment
Rating: R (Some Sexual References|Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 13, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 13, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $45.9K
Runtime: 1h 30m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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