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Lord of War
2005 122 min France, United States of America, Germany R 16+
★7.3
Crime, Drama, Thriller
Director: Andrew Niccol
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
Yuri Orlov is a globetrotting arms dealer and, through some of the deadliest war zones, he struggles to stay one step ahead of a relentless Interpol agent, his business rivals and even some of his customers who include many of the world's most notorious dictators. Finally, he must also face his own conscience.
Budget:
$50M
US Gross:
$24.15M
Worldwide:
$72.6M
Starring
Nicolas Cage
Actor
Ethan Hawke
Actor
Jared Leto
Actor
Awards
2 wins & 3 nominations total
Key opinion
Lord of War is widely regarded as a compelling, thought-provoking examination of the global arms trade that balances dark satire with cynical realism. While the film is praised for its memorable performances and philosophical depth, opinions diverge on the director's handling of the narrative tone and the authenticity of its cultural portrayals.
| Acting | Nicolas Cage delivers a powerful, anchoring performance that effectively captures the moral detachment and cynicism of his character. | |
| Theme | The film balances complex philosophical themes like individual agency and corporate complicity without feeling narratively overloaded. | |
| Originality | The stylistic choice to incorporate absurdist satire and dry wit provides a unique and effective perspective on the grim subject of arms dealing. | |
| Direction | Andrew Niccol's direction is subject to debate; some applaud his bold, non-judgmental approach, while others find the characterizations thin and the storytelling overly simplistic. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is polarizing; supporters celebrate its quotable, sharp dialogue, while detractors view it as naive and lacking in necessary emotional or cultural nuance. |