The Yellow Birds

In the midst of the Iraq War, a young U.S. soldier, Brandon Bartle, struggles to navigate the brutal realities of combat and the immense pressure to survive. His bond with his fellow soldier, Daniel Murphy, deepens as they face the horrors of war together. Following a devastating incident, Bartle grapples with profound guilt and trauma, leading him to make a solemn promise to Murphy's mother that he struggles to keep amidst his own mental unraveling.

The Yellow Birds received mixed to positive reviews from critics, who praised its powerful performances, particularly from Taron Egerton and Alden Ehrenreich, and its unflinching portrayal of the psychological toll of war. However, some found the narrative structure and pacing to be uneven, and the film's bleakness was noted by many.

• Praised for its strong lead performances and harrowing depiction of PTSD.
• Critiqued for its non-linear narrative and sometimes slow pacing.
• Acknowledged for its realistic and emotionally resonant portrayal of war's aftermath.

Google audience: Audience reviews generally appreciated the film's emotional depth and the performances, though some found it to be a difficult and somber watch, with a few suggesting the plot could be challenging to follow at times.

Selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival.

The film is based on the acclaimed 2012 novel of the same name by Kevin Powers, who himself served in the U.S. Army in Iraq.