Only the Brave

Only the Brave follows a crew of elite wildland firefighters known as the Granite Mountain Hotshots as they train, bond and face ever-worsening blazes across Arizona. The story centers on superintendent Eric Marsh, a veteran leader balancing duty and family, and Brendan "Donut" McDonough, a younger firefighter hungry to prove himself. As the team responds to small fires and large infernos, the film shows the routines, risks and friendships that define their work, along with the personal sacrifices each man makes. Tension builds as conditions turn unpredictable and the crew is pushed to its limits, all while the community and loved ones wait for word back home.

Directed by Joseph Kosinski, the film was released in 2017 and was developed from the real-life story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, with writing credits including Ken Nolan, Eric Warren Singer and Sean Flynn.

It opened in wide release to steady audiences and did reasonably well commercially, drawing viewers interested in true-life action dramas and star performances.

The movie renewed public attention on wildland firefighting and the hotshot crews who protect communities. Its focus on real people and real events led to renewed discussion about wildfire safety, the hazards crews face, and the importance of honoring frontline responders.

Critical and audience reaction leaned positive, reflected in a vote average near 7.45 out of 10 from general viewers. Reviewers praised the strong performances from Josh Brolin, Miles Teller and Jeff Bridges, and the film was noted for its realistic portrayals of firefighting operations. The emotional core rests on themes of leadership, teamwork, duty and the costs that come with dangerous, necessary work, presented in a straightforward, human way.