Hyena Road

Hyena Road follows three men pulled from different corners of the same conflict into a fragile moment on a quiet outpost in Afghanistan. Pete, a battle-hardened driver; Ryan, a young operator; and a tough but weary officer named General Rilmen all stand at the crossroads of modern warfare where loyalty, fear, and duty collide. As danger mounts, the lines between friend and foe blur, and small choices ripple into larger consequences. The story stays close to the Canadian Army's experience, offering a stark, human look at what soldiers endure behind the headlines, without getting lost in heroics or spectacle. Behind firefights and patrols, loyalties are tested and rumors shape decisions, reminding us war is rarely as clear as it appears.

Directed by Paul Gross, Hyena Road is a Canadian war drama built from an original screenplay rather than an adaptation, anchored by a tight, morally fraught look at soldiers in Afghanistan. Gross carries a sure hand with tone, letting quiet moments sit beside tense firefights while the unit questions what it means to serve.

With a worldwide gross of about $87,768, Hyena Road enjoyed a limited release and targeted a niche audience rather than a broad theatrical push. The modest figure mirrors the challenge of mid-range war dramas finding wide distribution and emphasizes character over spectacle.

Critics described Hyena Road as a sober, restrained look at modern war that favors character study over explosions. The film wrestles with moral ambiguity, the price of duty, and the emotional toll on Pete, Ryan, and General Rilmen, all propelled by solid performances and restrained warfare sequences that feel lived-in.

Though not a box office hit, Hyena Road contributes to Canadian cinema's growing catalog of war films that concentrate on lived experiences rather than sensationalism. It invites discussion around the portrayal of Afghan war and the moral complexity faced by soldiers, resonating with viewers who crave realism over heroics.