I’m pretty surprised “The Convenant,” or to use its full name, “Guy Ritchie’s The Convenant,” didn’t make a bigger splash upon its initial release. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, directed by, you’ve guessed it, Guy Ritchie, and set within the war in Afghanistan, there’s a lot to like about this action-thriller flick. And now, it’s getting a second wind thanks to Netflix.
Arriving on the streaming service this month, “The Convenant” has quickly found its way into the platform’s top 10 most-watched list. Right now, it's in the No. 3 spot, behind buzzy original “Jay Kelly” and seasonal offering “My Secret Santa.” When you dig into the movie’s reception from critics and viewers, it’s not hard to see why it’s finding success on Netflix.
I’ll admit that “The Convenant” passed me by when it landed in cinemas in 2023, but having now streamed the movie this week, consider me impressed. Between the intense frontline stand-offs, the gripping suspense, and the strong bond between its two lead characters, “The Convenant” is a war movie that deserves your attention and respect.
What is ‘The Covenant’ about?
Set during the later stages of the war in Afghanistan, “The Convenant” explores the unexpected brotherhood between a US Army Sergeant John Kinley (Jake Gyllenhaal), and a local Afghan interpreter, Ahmed (Dar Salim).
The two start on relatively frosty terms, working together out of necessity, but when Ahmed saves Kinley’s life in the midst of a devastating ambush, they find a mutual respect. The situation escalates when Kinley learns that Ahmed and his family were not granted safe passage out of the country as promised, and instead are in danger of being captured and killed.
Mounting a dangerous rescue mission, Kinley will stop at nothing to find and protect the man who saved his life. Trekking across a dangerous war zone, Kinley and Ahmed must rely on each other and their own individual bravery, as enemy forces relentlessly hunt them down.
Should you stream ‘The Covenant’ on Netflix?
“The Convenant” has plenty of elements found across the war genre. From dramatic last-stand shoot-outs to some practically anxiety-inducing stand-offs, where the situation is just one step away from escalating into all-out conflict. Guy Ritchie plays within the established framework used by countless other war flicks, but has a strong grip on proceedings, and wrings out every ounce of intense drama and on-screen heroism.
What I found most impactful about “The Convenant” was the bond between its two leads, Gyllenhaal’s Kinley and Salim’s Ahmed. At first, their relationship is strained. Kinley is big on sarcasm, and Ahmed has a reputation for being difficult to work with. However, the two men eventually come to rely on each other, and a mutual respect forms. This becomes a real bond that sees them risk their own lives to protect the other.
It’s a satisfying arc, and it successfully shows how, on the battlefield, survival comes down to fully trusting the person at your side has your back. It’s a war movie about the sacrifices made to keep your brother-in-arms standing, even a brother that you didn’t expect to find. Gyllenhaal and Salim are both excellent in their roles, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself getting a little choked up as the flick moves towards its bombastic conclusion.
For as much as the character work shines, “The Covenant” doesn’t come up short in the action department either. Ritchie dials up the pressure in all the right ways. When Kinley and Salim are forced to slowly crawl across enemy-controlled territory, with no support to call upon, I found myself almost holding my breath, eager to see them find a route to safety against the odds. The movie might not have anything new to say about the nature of modern warfare, but it’s a very well-presented war drama with a compelling plot and two strong characters at its core.
Upon its original release in 2023, critics were eager to praise “The Convenant.” It holds a strong 82% score on Rotten Tomatoes, which is enough for a “Certified Fresh” rating. The site’s ‘Critics Consensus’ reads, “A satisfying, well-acted war thriller with surprising dramatic depths, ‘Guy Ritchie's The Covenant’ tells a solid story with impressive restraint.”
Meanwhile, viewers were even more impressed, rating the war movie a near-perfect 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Some of the recent audience reviews describe “The Convenant” as “incredible,” “very intense”, and “showing the true reason people serve.” Kudos to Guy Ritchie for engaging both critics and viewers, which is no small achievement.
If you’re looking for an overlooked war movie to stream this week, then “The Convenant” is the clear top choice. It gets seriously intense at points, packs compelling characters, and respectfully honors those who put everything on the line to defend their country and squadmates.
I may have missed this one in theatres, but I’m pleased “The Convenant’s” arrival on Netflix put it on my radar. However, if you’re not totally sold and want to consider a few more options before committing, here’s a guide to everything new on Netflix in December 2025.
Watch "Guy Ritchie's The Covenant" on Netflix now
Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds.
More from Tom's Guide
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
