In the Valley of Elah (2007)

7.1R122 minDirector: Paul Haggis

2007 film by Paul Haggis

In the Valley of Elah is a 2007 American crime drama film written and directed by Paul Haggis. The film stars Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron, and Susan Sarandon. Its title refers to the Biblical valley where the battle between David and Goliath took place.

The film is based on actual events, although the characters' names and locations have been changed. The screenplay was inspired by journalist Mark Boal's "Death and Dishonor", an article about the murder case published in Playboy magazine in 2004. It portrays a military father's search for his son and, after his body is found, subsequent hunt for his son's killers. The film explores themes including the Iraq War, abuse of prisoners, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Plot summary adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

FAQ

What is In the Valley of Elah about?
In the Valley of Elah (2007) — A retired military investigator works with a police detective to uncover the truth behind his son's disappearance following his return from a tour of duty in Iraq.
Is In the Valley of Elah based on a true story?
See the production background and source material details on the official Wikipedia article.
Is In the Valley of Elah scary?
Content rating: R. See the reviews tab for parental guidance and tone notes.