“Megan Leavey” is a 2017 biographical war drama film directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, based on the true story of Marine Corporal Megan Leavey and her military combat dog, a German Shepherd named Rex . The film stars Kate Mara as Megan Leavey, along with Edie Falco, Bradley Whitford, Tom Felton, and Ramón Rodríguez in supporting roles.
During their deployments in Iraq, Megan and Rex formed an inseparable bond that saved countless lives, leading Megan to receive the Purple Heart and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with “V” device for valor . After returning home, Megan fought to adopt Rex before his retirement 3.
Where to Stream Megan Leavey
For those looking to watch the inspiring true story of Megan Leavey and her military combat dog Rex, the film is readily available across various platforms:
- Streaming: ‘Megan Leavey’ can be streamed on Hulu . The platform offers a free trial for new subscribers, allowing them to watch the movie without any initial cost .
- Digital Purchase: The movie is available for digital purchase on Amazon Prime Video. Viewers can rent it in HD for $3.59 or buy it in HD for $14.99 .
- Physical Media: For those who prefer physical copies, ‘Megan Leavey’ is available on DVD starting from $6.99 and on Blu-ray from $4.59 .
With these multiple options, audiences can choose their preferred method to experience this heartwarming tale of bravery, loyalty, and the unbreakable bond between a Marine and her canine partner.
About the Movie
“Megan Leavey” is a 2017 American biographical drama film directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite and written by Pamela Gray, Annie Mumolo, and Tim Lovestedt . The film is based on the true events about a young female Marine named Megan Leavey and her combat dog named Rex . It stars Kate Mara as Megan Leavey, with Edie Falco, Common, Ramón Rodríguez, and Tom Felton in supporting roles .
The film explores the emotional bond between Megan and Rex, as well as Megan’s relationships with her family, fellow Marines, and superiors . It follows Megan’s journey, from joining the Marines to finding her purpose in the K9 unit, where she meets and bonds with the aggressive bomb-sniffing dog Rex . Together, they deploy to Iraq and save countless lives, but their destiny is jeopardized when they are injured by an explosive device, and Megan must fight to keep Rex by her side .
Key Details:
- Content Advisory: The film has content advisories for violence, alcohol use, smoking, foul language, and sexual content . It is rated PG-13 for war violence, language, suggestive material, and thematic elements.
- Accessibility: Audio and subtitle options include English dialogue, English audio description, and English closed caption .
- Runtime: 116 minutes.
- Filming Locations: The film takes place on Parris Island, South Carolina, in San Diego County, California, and across Iraq.
- Perspective: The film provides a unique perspective on the world of military working dogs and the intense bond between the handlers and their canine partners. It avoids sentimentality and instead presents the story in a straightforward, efficient manner, allowing the emotional impact to flow naturally.
Critical Reception and Audience Response
The film “Megan Leavey” has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from both critics and audiences. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an impressive 90% ‘Fresh’ rating based on 105 reviews. Critics have praised the realistic and emotional portrayal of the bond between Megan and her military dog, as well as the efficient and confident direction. The review notes that the film avoids sentimentality and presents the material in a straightforward manner.
Audience response has been equally enthusiastic, with viewers commending the performances, especially Kate Mara’s, and the emotional bond between Megan and her dog Rex. The film has an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars based on 6,436 global ratings on Amazon.
- Praise for Performances: Reviews of the film were generally positive, with praise for the performances, especially Kate Mara’s, and the portrayal of the human-dog relationship.
- Emotional Connection: Audience reviews have also been very positive, with viewers praising the performances, especially Kate Mara’s, and the emotional bond between Megan and her dog Rex.
- Realistic Portrayal: The review praises the film for its realistic and emotional portrayal of the bond between Megan and her military dog, as well as its efficient and confident direction.
Similar Recommendations
If you enjoyed watching “Megan Leavey,” a biographical drama film based on actual events, you might also appreciate other movies from the 2010s that explore similar themes, such as films about veterans, war dogs, and true stories. Here are some recommendations:
- Sand Castle (2017): This film follows a soldier who enlists before 9/11 and is later sent to provide water to an Iraqi village after the occupation of Baghdad .
- The Wall (2017): A gripping war drama about a U.S. Army sniper and his spotter during the Iraq War .
- Another Mother’s Son (2017): Based on the true story of a woman who hid an escaped Russian POW during WWII on the Nazi-occupied island of Jersey
- The Catcher Was a Spy (2018): This film is based on the true story of a former Major League Baseball player who became a spy during WWII.
- Dunkirk (2017): Christopher Nolan’s critically acclaimed film about the evacuation of British and French soldiers from Dunkirk during WWII.
Other notable recommendations include:
- Dog (2022): An army ranger and his dog embark on a heartwarming road trip .
- Rescued by Ruby (2022): A state trooper partners with a shelter dog to chase his dream of joining an elite K-9 unit.
- Max (2015): A dog that helped soldiers in Afghanistan is adopted by his handler’s family after a traumatic experience.
- Stop-Loss (2008): A veteran soldier returns from Iraq only to be ordered to return to duty 11.
- Lone Survivor (2013): Four Navy SEALs on a covert mission in Afghanistan face impossible odds.
These films explore various aspects of military life, the bonds between soldiers and their canine companions, and the challenges faced by veterans, offering a diverse range of perspectives on war and its impact.
FAQs
1. What is the true story behind the film Megan Leavey?
The film “Megan Leavey” is based on the real-life story of Corporal Megan Leavey and her military combat dog, Rex, with whom she formed a deep bond during her service in the Marines.
2. Where can I stream the movie Megan Leavey?
“Megan Leavey” is available for streaming on Netflix and Starz. This biographical drama details the life and experiences of Marine Corporal Megan Leavey and her devoted combat dog, Rex.
3. What ultimately happened to Rex, the dog from Megan Leavey?
Rex, the military dog featured in “Megan Leavey,” was adopted by Megan but sadly passed away on December 22, 2012, due to old age at Megan’s home in Rockland County, New York. Before his passing, Rex and Megan were celebrated at various high-profile events, including a New York Yankees game.
4. What is the film rating of Megan Leavey?
The movie “Megan Leavey” was rated PG-13 in 2017, with a specific rating index of 3.5.