News of the World
News of the World

News of the World

2020Movie118 minEnglish

A Texan traveling across the wild West bringing the news of the world to local townspeople, agrees to help rescue a young girl who was kidnapped.

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Insights

IMDb6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes75%
Metacritic64/100
Google Users88%
Director: Paul GreengrassGenres: Western, Drama

Plot Summary

In the aftermath of the Civil War, Captain Jefferson Kidd, a Civil War veteran, travels the vast Texas landscape as a storyteller, sharing news from across the globe with local communities for a fee. His solitary journey takes an unexpected turn when he encounters Johanna, a 10-year-old girl who has been taken in by the Kiowa nation. As they embark on a perilous journey across the country to find her aunt and uncle, Kidd and Johanna must navigate dangerous challenges and form an unlikely bond.

Critical Reception

News of the World was met with generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its performances, direction, and emotional depth. Audiences also responded well to the film's blend of historical drama and character-driven storytelling.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for Tom Hanks's compelling performance and his chemistry with co-star Helena Zengel.
  • Lauded for Paul Greengrass's skilled direction, delivering a visually engaging and emotionally resonant narrative.
  • Appreciated for its thoughtful exploration of themes like healing, connection, and finding common ground in a fractured nation.

Google audience: Google users largely appreciated the film's powerful performances, particularly from Tom Hanks, and the engaging story of unlikely companionship. The historical setting and the film's emotional journey were also frequently highlighted as strengths.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for 4 Academy Awards (Cinematography, Original Score, Production Design, Sound Mixing).

Fun Fact

Director Paul Greengrass and star Tom Hanks decided to forgo digital cameras and shoot the film on 35mm film to achieve a more authentic, period-appropriate aesthetic.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
Peter McGinn

Peter McGinn

This doesn’t happen very often, but I actually read their book this movie was based on. I enjoy both. There were a couple of changes I noticed, but I wasn’t offended by them. With one it seemed they had Captain Kidd escape a jam with a spee...
251Family

251Family

One of the MOST boring attempts at making a Western by a Top shelf actor to date.. Hollywood really needs to come to grips with fact they NO longer have what it takes to make these kind of films...and havnt for a few years now... Now co...
garethmb

garethmb

Tom Hanks and Director Paul Greengrass have combined to create a truly moving and memorable western which is one of the best films of 2020. Hanks stars as Captain Kidd; a former Confederate Captain making his way in occupied Texas in the...