Guy Ritchie's The Covenant

Set amid the Afghanistan conflict, the film follows Ahmed, a local interpreter who discovers an injured American sergeant after an ambush. Rather than leave him behind, Ahmed carries the wounded soldier across unforgiving desert and mountains, seeking safety through checkpoints, hostile territory, and scarce resources. The movie focuses on the evolving bond between the two men, the everyday dangers they face, and the hard choices that come with protecting an ally whose life represents more than a job. Scenes concentrate on small acts of trust and the logistics of survival rather than battlefield spectacle, keeping tension tight as setbacks and close calls test loyalties and endurance. It aims to humanize both sides while avoiding easy answers or simple heroics altogether.

Released in 2023 and directed by Guy Ritchie, the film was created by Marn Davies and Ivan Atkinson. Jake Gyllenhaal headlines as Master Sergeant John Kinley, with Dar Salim portraying Ahmed, supported by Sean Sagar and Jason Wong, among others.

The film opened to solid audience interest, performing steadily in international markets and attracting attention through word of mouth and streaming windows. While not a runaway blockbuster, it found commercial traction and sustained visibility after initial release in several territories.

Critics and audiences responded positively, reflected in a roughly 7.73 average from nearly 3,000 votes, praising performances and the film's restrained tone. It centers on loyalty, sacrifice, moral ambiguity in wartime, and the complexity of allyship, prompting conversations about responsibility toward local partners and the long term effects on veterans.

Beyond theaters, the film renewed public focus on the plight of Afghan interpreters and the obligations owed by military allies. Its stark portrayal and committed lead performances helped fuel media discussion, advocacy efforts, and policy conversations about evacuation, resettlement, and ethical duties to local partners around the world in 2023.