Destroyer

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Destroyer

R,

2018,

2h 3m,

Crime/

Drama/

Mystery & Thriller/

Action

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74%

265 Reviews

Tomatometer

50%

1,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

74%

Tomatometer

265 Reviews

50%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

As a young cop, Erin Bell went undercover to infiltrate a gang in the California desert -- with tragic results. Bell continues to work as a detective for the Los Angeles Police Department, but feelings of anger and remorse leave her worn-down and consumed by guilt. When the leader of that gang suddenly re-emerges, Erin embarks on an obsessive quest to find his former associates, bring him to justice and make peace with her tortured past.

Critics Consensus

Destroyer's grueling narrative is as uncompromising as Nicole Kidman's central performance, which adds extra layers to a challenging film that leaves a lingering impact.

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Amy Nicholson

FilmWeek (LAist)

Sep 13, 2019

It sounds like a rote rote cop [movie], but the way that Karyn Kusama puts a spin on it: [Destroyer] is really about a woman who cannot deal with her own mistakes... I thought that this film had a real heaviness to it.

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Wenlei Ma

News.com.au

Apr 21, 2019

3.5/5

A masterful performance by Kidman, who has proven over the last few years that she has deep reserves of talent.

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Sandra Hall

Sydney Morning Herald

Mar 29, 2019

3.5/5

[Kidman's] collaboration with Karyn Kusama, who directed this film, is another example of her willingness to back a filmmaker still to peak.

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Christos Tsiolkas

The Saturday Paper

Aug 19, 2026

The film has a lack of nerve that works against any possibility of achieving terrifying force or really shaking our expectations of the policier and noir genres. I wish the script were as strong as the direction and the acting.

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Calum Cooper

Source (Scotland)

Jul 14, 2024

3/5

A quietly intense, and grippingly atmospheric piece that displays extraordinary character depth and a natural talent for action and crime dramas on Kusama’s part.

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David Reddish

Queerty

Mar 20, 2022

3.5/4

The twists and turns in this mystery-thriller would be enough for us to recommend it. Splendid performances by Kidman and Stan seal the deal.

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Hagrid W

Apr 28, 2019

This movie was gripping and Kidman's acting was amazing.

Poe W

Apr 28, 2019

Tried very hard to be gritty and fierce but it dragged.

Finn P

Apr 27, 2019

This story takes place in Chicago, a veteran homicide detective played by Nicole Kidman tries to rectify some wrongs of her past. There's a lot of flashback moments within this film so pay close attention to everything that's happening, if you don't you may become lost, there are a lot of dull moments in this film. The director was attentive in this movie when it comes to the cops and how they act as if they went through police training for their role. Good plot, ok storyline.

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Finn R

Apr 25, 2019

Grim and absolutely brilliant.

Abraham R

Apr 25, 2019

this movie has a tragic story but even more tragic story line , you cant connect nor should you connect to Kidman's character. and the plot twist feeble try of surprise doesn't surprise at all ,i want my two hours back

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Harry S

Apr 24, 2019

It's a very average film, and the story is barely interesting. Too much emphasis was placed on boring aspects that we didn't care about. And the ending was especially overly dramatic for such mundane person.

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Karyn Kusama

Director

Nicole Kidman

Erin Bell

Toby Kebbell

Silas

Tatiana Maslany

Petra

Sebastian Stan

Chris

Scoot McNairy

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Destroyer: Final Trailer

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Synopsis

As a young cop, Erin Bell went undercover to infiltrate a gang in the California desert -- with tragic results. Bell continues to work as a detective for the Los Angeles Police Department, but feelings of anger and remorse leave her worn-down and consumed by guilt. When the leader of that gang suddenly re-emerges, Erin embarks on an obsessive quest to find his former associates, bring him to justice and make peace with her tortured past.

Director: Karyn Kusama
Producer: Fred Berger, Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi
Screenwriter: Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi
Distributor: Annapurna Pictures
Production Co: Automatik Entertainment, 30West
Rating: R (Language Throughout|Brief Drug Use|Some Sexual Content|Violence)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 9, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.5M
Runtime: 2h 3m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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