The Messenger

Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson and Samantha Morton star in this drama set in the wake of the Iraq war.

Three months before he is due to leave the army, injured officer Will Montgomery (Foster) is sent back to the US, where he is partnered with embittered older soldier Lieutenant Anthony Stone (Harrelson) to act as a messenger for the Casualty Notification Team, informing next-of-kin about the soldiers who died in Iraq.

Untrained and emotionally ill-equipped for the job, Will struggles with being the bearer of bad news to devastated parents and spouses.

Things become further complicated when he becomes involved with Olivia Pitterson (Morton), one of the young widows he has been sent to inform.