The Kill Team (2019) is a harrowing war drama based on the true events of the Afghanistan War, which tells the story of one soldier’s struggle against the moral complexities of military conflict and the horrors of war crimes. Directed by Dan Krauss, the film is a chilling exploration of loyalty, conscience, and the blurred lines between right and wrong in the chaos of combat.

The film follows Andrew Briggman (played by Nat Wolff), a young and idealistic Army private deployed to Afghanistan. Andrew is eager to prove himself as a soldier, but when he is assigned to a unit under the command of the increasingly unhinged and morally compromised Sergeant Deeks (played by Alexander Skarsgård), his world begins to unravel. The unit becomes embroiled in a series of increasingly brutal and unethical actions against Afghan civilians, and Andrew is faced with the impossible decision of whether to remain silent or speak out against the atrocities he witnesses.

As the tension within the platoon builds, the young soldier is caught between his fear of retribution and his growing sense of moral responsibility. The brutality of war is brought to the forefront as Andrew grapples with the decision to expose the wrongdoings of his comrades or stay silent and protect himself. The film presents a harrowing portrayal of the psychological toll of war, as well as the moral compromises that soldiers often face when they are caught between obedience and their own personal code of ethics.

The Kill Team dives deep into the human psyche, exploring themes of power, authority, and the consequences of blindly following orders. The intense performances by the cast, particularly Wolff and Skarsgård, bring a raw authenticity to the characters, capturing their inner conflicts and struggles. The film’s pacing is deliberate, building the tension slowly as Andrew’s sense of right and wrong clashes with the demands of military life, creating a palpable sense of dread and inevitability.

The stark and realistic depiction of the horrors of war, combined with the emotional weight of Andrew’s internal battle, makes The Kill Team a powerful commentary on the human cost of war and the moral ambiguities that arise in the heat of combat. It is a film that forces viewers to confront uncomfortable questions about morality, power, and the consequences of silence in the face of injustice.