Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant

REVIEW:

If I did not know this was directed by Guy Ritchie, I never would have guessed it was. I am a big fan of Guy Ritchie’s movies such as RocknRolla, The Gentleman, Sherlock Holmes and many others, but this film is a departure from his usual trademarks. Gone are the slick cuts, snappy editing rhythms, and witty banter that often define his work. Instead, he trades in his signature style for a far more restrained and respectful approach. This is not a criticism, on the contrary, it shows Ritchie’s versatility. He treats this story with dignity, and the result is a standout war movie that is honest, gripping, and action-packed, while at its core being a movie about brotherhood, responsibility, and integrity.

At the heart of the film are two powerhouse performances. Jake Gyllenhaal, who is easily one of my favourite actors, delivers a nuanced portrayal of John Kinley, a soldier burdened with duty and determination. Alongside him, Dar Salim as Ahmed is extraordinary, his quiet resilience and selflessness carry much of the film’s emotional weight. Together, their dynamic goes beyond a standard war-buddy trope, it becomes an exploration of trust between two men whose lives depend on each other in the most hostile of environments.

For those who may not know much about the war in Afghanistan, the film does not leave you behind. Early on, text on the screen sets the stage, explaining the vital role Afghan interpreters played for both US and UK forces, often working with the promise of visas and relocation. The tragedy, as this movie makes clear, is how slow and bureaucratic those relocation processes were, leaving many interpreters and their families vulnerable to Taliban retribution. By weaving this real-world truth into the narrative, Ritchie ensures the stakes feel not only cinematic but urgently human.

The score in this movie deserves its own praise. It heightens the tension in key moments, especially when the possibility of ambush hangs in the air. The music doesn’t overwhelm, it works as a pulse, a warning signal, making you sit up straighter in your seat. In moments of action, it drives the pace, but in the quieter stretches, when Kinley and Ahmed are navigating the Afghan wilderness, it provides a haunting backdrop that lingers. It is a score that feels alive, in step with the danger.

Cinematography is another strength, and it surprised me in the best way. The movie was filmed in Spain, but you would never know it, the Afghan mountains come to life with staggering authenticity. Vast landscapes, rocky passes, and dust-choked villages are all captured with a sense of scale and realism that transport you into the setting. When combined with the immaculate sound design, bullets that seem to crack past your ears, explosions that vibrate through you, it makes the battlefield immersive. When the gunfire begins, the film doesn’t let up, pulling you into the chaos as if you were there.

The tension doesn’t just come from gunfights, though. Some of the most harrowing moments are the silences, when Kinley and Ahmed are evading the Taliban in the mountains. In those stretches, I could practically hear my own heartbeat. After Kinley is severely wounded, Ahmed’s determination becomes the emotional spine of the film. He could have abandoned him countless times, but instead, he carries him, feeds him, gives him water, and keeps him warm while traversing dangerous terrain, all while being hunted. This relentless act of loyalty is both uplifting and humbling to watch.

But the story does not end with that survival. The following act, when Kinley fights against the maddening bureaucracy to get Ahmed and his family safe passage, is equally gripping, though in a very different way. You can feel the frustration boiling off the screen, this man risked everything for an American soldier, and yet his promised protection is stuck in paperwork. When Kinley finally makes the decision to go back himself, the film shifts gears into a riveting rescue mission. The dam sequence near the end is brilliantly executed, keeping the adrenaline high until the final moments. I was literally on the edge of my seat, unable to sit still, desperate for Ahmed and his family to make it out alive.

There are many great war films that balance authenticity, tension, and humanity, but Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant deserves a place among them. It avoids clichés, it respects its subject matter, and it tells a story that feels both thrilling and necessary. With unforgettable performances from Jake Gyllenhaal and Dar Salim, striking cinematography, and a pulse-pounding score, this is a film that proves Guy Ritchie can step outside his comfort zone and still deliver something remarkable. It is a war movie with real heart, and it will stay with me for a long time.