Atonement

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Atonement

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1h 58m

Drama

War

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90%

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29 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

Displaced from their home by U.S. military action during the early days of the Iraq War, the Khachaturian family finds refuge with relatives, gathering their three generations together under one roof. But when another bombing erupts nearby, they decide to return to their home across the city. As they navigate the war-torn streets of Baghdad, the family is trapped in a firefight between U.S. Marines and insurgents, and one Marine's split-second decision devastates the family. Years later, haunted by his time in Iraq and aided by a New Yorker journalist, the Marine seeks to reconcile with the Khachaturian matriarch and her surviving family members. Anchored by moving, unforgettable performances from Boyd Holbrook, Hiam Abbass, and Kenneth Branagh, Atonement is a powerfully human story about the immeasurable costs of war, exploring universal questions about guilt, redemption, and the nature of forgiveness.

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Tim Grierson

Los Angeles Times

Oct 2, 2026

The ending is so understated yet so piercing that it may take days to process how deftly it encapsulates the shared tragedy that, decades later, still ensnares them all.

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Kyle Smith

Wall Street Journal

Oct 1, 2026

At the movies, the PTSD-suffering veteran is a familiar figure, bordering on cliché. But this admirably restrained and unassuming drama, a first-time feature from writer-director Reed Van Dyk, is one of the best Iraq War movies yet made.

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Glenn Kenny

New York Times

Oct 1, 2026

Van Dyk, inspired by a real-life New Yorker story by Dexter Filkins, keeps the proceedings realistic until the very end, when he concocts an allegorical final shot that’s surprisingly resonant.

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Andy Howell

Film Threat

2 days ago

9/10

It is in the performances that Atonement really shines.

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Todd Jorgenson

Cinemalogue

Oct 2, 2026

Earning catharsis via thoughtful dialogue and understated performances, this quietly powerful drama probes the delicate nature of forgiveness with nuance and compassion.

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Maxance Vincent

Awards Radar

Oct 1, 2026

3/4

A harrowing look at the cost of war.

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joel G

@davidbondo 14 hrs ago

I thought it was a great storyline. And the scene where he goes to the house of the family he has to make atonement for is priceless. Some of the lines in the script were heartfelt and tough to get out..My only criticism was the length of the film could have been chopped down by 15-20 min by not showing so many scenes of Michael the journalist.. He was boring and dragged it down.. Not a Big budget film, but has a message that needs to be heard just the same..easily 3 stars out of 5

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Moody C

@MoodyC 3 days ago

First 20 mins just ripping with tense excitement & then nothing since it’s a story about war aftermath, regret, guilt, & forgiveness. Boring, right? Kinda, but performances are touching & subtle so did not fall into melodrama but abrupt ending felt like a cruel mistress tossing your stuff outta apt to end relationship.

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Steven T

@sedemmler 5 days ago

Great film? Or perhaps the greatest film?

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P C

@Pauliiiiii 6 days ago

Absolutely amazing movie!!! Awesome story and acting from the leads to the supporting actors!!! Definitely award worthy in all aspects!! MAKE MORE MOVIES LIKE THIS!!!! Must see movie!!! 👏👏👏👏

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Reed Van Dyk

Director

Boyd Holbrook

Lou D'Alessandro

Hiam Abbass

Mariam Khachaturian

Kenneth Branagh

Michael Reid

Reed Van Dyk

Screenwriter

Trevor White

Producer

The 9 Best Films of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival

Atonement: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Displaced from their home by U.S. military action during the early days of the Iraq War, the Khachaturian family finds refuge with relatives, gathering their three generations together under one roof. But when another bombing erupts nearby, they decide to return to their home across the city. As they navigate the war-torn streets of Baghdad, the family is trapped in a firefight between U.S. Marines and insurgents, and one Marine's split-second decision devastates the family. Years later, haunted by his time in Iraq and aided by a New Yorker journalist, the Marine seeks to reconcile with the Khachaturian matriarch and her surviving family members. Anchored by moving, unforgettable performances from Boyd Holbrook, Hiam Abbass, and Kenneth Branagh, Atonement is a powerfully human story about the immeasurable costs of war, exploring universal questions about guilt, redemption, and the nature of forgiveness.

Director: Reed Van Dyk
Producer: Trevor White, Tim White, David M. Wulf, Steven Demmler, Reed Van Dyk
Screenwriter: Reed Van Dyk
Distributor: Kino Lorber
Genre: Drama, War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 2, 2026, Limited
Runtime: 1h 58m

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