American Sniper (2014)

American Sniper (2014)

American Sniper (2014), directed by Clint Eastwood and based on the autobiography by Chris Kyle, tells the harrowing true story of the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history. The film stars Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle, a Navy SEAL whose skills behind the scope made him both a legend among fellow soldiers and a target among insurgents in Iraq.

The film begins by exploring Chris’s early life in Texas, where he grows up learning to hunt and developing a strong sense of duty. After witnessing attacks against Americans abroad, Chris decides to enlist in the Navy SEALs to protect his country. He undergoes grueling training and eventually marries Taya (Sienna Miller), but his sense of responsibility leads him to deploy shortly after their wedding.

Once in Iraq, Chris quickly earns a reputation for his deadly accuracy, saving countless lives and earning the nickname “The Legend.” He becomes especially focused on hunting a notorious enemy sniper known as Mustafa, a former Olympic sharpshooter working for the insurgency. Throughout his four tours of duty, Chris is constantly faced with the moral complexities of modern warfare—especially in urban combat where threats often come from women and children being used as human shields.

While Chris is celebrated on the battlefield, his experiences begin to take a heavy toll on his mental health. Each return home becomes more difficult, as he struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and finds it hard to reconnect with his family. Taya pleads with him to be present for their children and to leave the war behind, but Chris remains mentally locked in a conflict he cannot shake.

Eventually, Chris leaves the military and begins working with other veterans to help them recover from the psychological scars of war. He finds a sense of purpose in giving back to those who share his experiences, and his family life begins to stabilize.

Tragically, the film ends with a devastating real-life event: on February 2, 2013, Chris Kyle is shot and killed by a fellow veteran he was trying to help. The film closes with footage from Kyle’s real funeral, honoring his service and sacrifice.

American Sniper is both a tribute to a soldier and an unflinching look at the cost of war—not just in lives lost, but in the lasting impact on those who survive.