AMERICAN SNIPER
Defending the sheep — a powerful war drama for discerning adults.
Should You Watch It?
AMERICAN SNIPER is an extremely well-made, powerful, tragic movie with strong Christian faith, self-sacrifice, valor, and patriotism. It is endlessly captivating, full of jeopardy, and directed magnificently by Clint Eastwood. Its central figure is a skilled protector whose military service costs him deeply, while his wife and children wait at home.
That strength comes with a heavy price. The movie includes countless killings, extreme violence, at least 143 obscenities, eight profanities, brief lewd content, alcohol use, and some characters who lose faith and courage. Even patriotic people of faith may find it difficult and war-wearying.
If you are an adult able to engage these difficult elements with discernment, WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY. It is not for children or teenagers.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESChris Kyle grows up in Texas, attends church with his family, becomes an expert marksman, and rides rough rodeo. His father teaches him that sheep need sheep dogs to protect them from wolves.
After a crisis unfolds in the Middle East, Chris joins the Navy SEALs and becomes a legendary sniper. His wife raises their children at home while each tour of duty changes him. Eventually, Chris must find his way back from war.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means AMERICAN SNIPER is an exceptionally strong film despite its difficult content. The story is powerful, tragic, and emotionally compelling. Its constant jeopardy keeps you riveted, and Clint Eastwood does a magnificent job directing.
The movie is also extremely well made and presents a captivating portrait of military service, sacrifice, patriotism, and psychological pain. Its many killings may leave viewers war weary, and some minor characters’ loss of faith and courage may trouble or resonate with audiences.
The Worldview
AMERICAN SNIPER presents Chris Kyle’s strong Christian faith, moral seriousness, self-sacrifice, valor, and patriotism as central strengths. His father’s picture of sheep, wolves, and sheep dogs gives Chris a framework for protecting the vulnerable. The movie also portrays the cost of that protection: repeated combat leaves Chris alienated from his family and deeply wounded psychologically.
The film’s moral vision is complicated by its brutal content and by its portrayal of Muslim characters, including villains, professing their faith. It also contains humanist elements, including characters who lose faith. Cowardice, cruelty, deception, and evil are present throughout the conflict, and the story does not offer an easy answer to the damage caused by war.
Still, the film’s emphasis on courage, family, service, and helping others reflects important biblical values. Chris’s healing begins when a psychiatrist helps him deal with his pain by helping others. Scripture likewise calls believers to “Bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Strong Christian, moral, patriotic worldview mitigated by strong pagan, immoral, brutal content (including a factual portrayal of false religion where Muslim characters, including the villains, profess their faith), and some humanist content includes humanist characters and some characters who lose faith; at least 143 obscenities (including many “f” words) and eight profanities; lots of extreme and strong, constant violence such as villain takes a drill to child’s head but camera cuts away, people shot through head and eyes, people lose limbs, villain is called the butcher because he keeps body parts of people he killed, boy gets shot, and snipers from both sides shoot as many people as they can; some sexual content of several implied sex scenes includes man walks into his apartment surprising his girlfriend with someone else (nothing shown but some snide description), man picks up woman at bar and there’s implied sex later, woman comes out in lingerie and straddles man, and man has implied sex with wife; upper male nudity, revealing female lingerie and attire, woman in bra, woman in panties, but no explicit nudity; alcohol used to get drunk; no smoking or illegal drugs; and, cowardice, cruelty, deception, and evil Muslims.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Chris’s father says there are sheep, wolves, and sheep dogs. What does Scripture teach about protecting others, and how should courage be joined to wisdom?
Proverbs 31:8–9 · Matthew 10:16Chris’s service demands self-sacrifice but strains his marriage and family. How can service become faithful rather than neglectful?
Ephesians 5:25 · Philippians 2:3–4Some characters lose faith and courage. What helps you remain faithful when fear, suffering, or disappointment tests you?
Hebrews 10:35–36 · James 1:2–4Chris begins dealing with his psychological pain by helping others. How can bearing another person’s burdens become part of healing?
Galatians 6:2 · 2 Corinthians 1:3–4The Final Word
AMERICAN SNIPER is a powerful, tragic, extremely well-made film about faith, sacrifice, patriotism, and the cost of war. Its extreme violence, much foul language, and brief lewd content make it unsuitable for children and teenagers. For discerning adults, the answer is WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY. For other options, see.
