Watch The Wall

The Wall is a tense and claustrophobic war movie that takes place entirely within a single sniper's nest in the Iraqi desert. The film stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Staff Sergeant Shane Matthews, a crack marksman who is sent with his spotter, Sergeant Allan Isaac (John Cena), to investigate a construction site that may be a cover for a terrorist cell. When they arrive, they find themselves under fire from an unseen enemy sniper, who kills Isaac and pins Matthews behind a crumbling wall. The rest of the movie is a battle of wills between Matthews and his unseen adversary, who goes by the name "Juba" (Laith Nakli). Using a radio taken from Isaac's body, Juba begins to taunt Matthews, playing mind games and trying to unnerve him into giving up. As the hours tick by and Matthews begins to suffer from dehydration and exhaustion, he must use all his training and wits to try and outsmart Juba and stay alive. What makes The Wall such a compelling movie is its simplicity. The entire film takes place in a single location, with only two speaking characters (and one unseen antagonist). Director Doug Liman (best known for action movies like The Bourne Identity and Edge of Tomorrow) keeps the focus tight and the tension high, using the harsh desert landscape and the crumbling wall as potent symbols of Matthews' isolation and vulnerability. Much of the film's success also rests on the strong performances of its two leads. Taylor-Johnson (best known for his work in the Kick-Ass movies and Avengers: Age of Ultron) gives a powerful and nuanced performance as Matthews, conveying both his physical pain and his emotional turmoil as he tries to stay alive. Cena, who has made a successful transition from professional wrestling to acting in recent years, is also impressive as Isaac, who provides some much-needed levity in the film's early scenes before meeting his tragic end. But it's Laith Nakli who steals the show as Juba. Though he never appears on screen (we only hear his voice over the radio), Nakli manages to create a chilling and memorable antagonist. Juba is a true believer in his cause, and his taunts and threats are all the more effective because of his conviction. Nakli's performance is a testament to the power of voice acting, and Juba is sure to go down as one of the most iconic movie villains of recent years. While The Wall is primarily a thriller, it also has some interesting things to say about the nature of war and the toll it takes on those who fight it. Matthews and Juba are both soldiers, but they represent different sides of the same coin. Matthews is a professional soldier who is just doing his job, but Juba is a true believer who sees himself as a defender of his homeland. The film raises questions about the morality of war and the toll it takes on both sides, without ever preaching or becoming didactic. Overall, The Wall is a tense and suspenseful movie that showcases the talents of its cast and director. It's a small-scale film that manages to pack a big punch, and it's sure to leave audiences on the edge of their seats. Whether you're a fan of war movies or just enjoy a good thriller, The Wall is a movie that's definitely worth checking out.