The Messenger

Name: The Messenger
Genre: Comedy
Released: 1921-11-21

Comedy20m

🍅90%

🍅

90%

Tomatometer

🍿

75%

Popcornmeter

Storyline

A chemist who lives with his daughter has invented an explosive which he calls "IT." A masked band seeks to steal the explosive from him, and has already sent the chemist warning letters. The chemist hides the explosive in his safe, but his daughter transfers it to a lamp on the table for safer keeping. The band attack the house, and Jimmy finally gets what he believes to be the explosive from the safe.

Trailers

Details

DirectorJimmy Aubrey

ReleasedNov 21, 1921

StatusReleased

Original languageEnglish

Budget

Not disclosed

Revenue

Not disclosed

Parental guideNot rated

Studio

Vitagraph Company of America

Reviews

8 reviews · 7 critics

6 fresh · 1 rotten

Critics consensus

“A dark but timely subject is handled deftly by writer/directer Owen Moverman and superbly acted by Woody Harrleson and Ben Foster.”

90% TomatometerRotten Tomatoes

Ed Koch

RTThe AtlanticJan 16, 2018

An extraordinary anti-war film that does not engage in polemics. The Messenger's extreme effectiveness is due to the brilliant acting of Ben Foster and Woody Harrelson.

Alissa Wilkinson

RTPaste MagazineApr 12, 2016

It is relentlessly bleak, even in its lighter moments. The downbeat tone is wearying. These days, we just need some hope.

Laura Kern

RTFilm Comment MagazineOct 20, 2014

[Foster and Harrelson's] interplay, on the job (ruining the day of one unfortunate person after the next) and off...provides the backbone of this erratically paced film.

Rene Jordan

RTEl Nuevo Herald (Miami)Aug 10, 2022

Exceptional film. [Full review in Spanish]