Modern Warfare Explored in Eye-Opening Thriller ‘Eye in the Sky’

Sandra Miska

The cost of war is explored and questions about morality are raised in “Eye in the Sky,” a British thriller centered around a secret drone mission to capture a group of terrorists, including an American and a British citizen, in Kenya. In charge of the mission is military intelligence officer Col. Katherine Powell (Helen Mirren). Her superior, Lt. Gen. Frank Benson (Alan Rickman, appearing on screen for the last time) works with her and the U.S. government.

One of the terrorists includes a woman from London, Susan Helen Danford (Lex King), who became a radical Muslim as a teenager. Also among the group, which includes Danford’s Somali husband, is an American citizen. Through the use of drone cameras, both the United States and British governments are able to locate Danford and the others, and Powell initially aims to have them captured and the young woman brought to trial in her native country.

On the ground in Kenya is undercover agent Jama Farah (Barkhad Abdi). He is able to control James Bond-esque gadgets such as a tiny drone camera disguised as a beetle (nicknamed Ringo) to view inside the house in which the terrorists are meeting. There is much debate as to whether or not drones allow governments to invade private spaces, but in this case, their use is justified when it is revealed that this particular group is preparing for a suicide bombing. With the stakes dramatically increased, Powell immediately decides to abandon the capture plans and launch a missile attack.

Benson readily agrees, but they still need permission from the higher-ups. Perhaps not surprisingly, the U.S. Secretary of State, a chubby white guy with a southern accent, agrees to the attack without a second thought.

Complications arise when a nine-year-old girl shows up in front of the house in which the terrorists are hiding to sell bread. The officials now have to decide if they should go ahead with their attack and potentially kill the child or cancel it and risk allowing dozens of innocents being killed in a suicide bombing.

Aaron Paul gives an emotional performance as American drone pilot Steve Watts, the man who would ultimately be pushing the button. Along for the ride is his greener colleague Carrie Gershon (Phoebe Fox). He feeds the images to Powell back in her warehouse in England as well as to Benson and the various officials with him in a fancy London briefing room.

The most vocal of the officials is Angela Northman (Monica Dolan) who vehemently opposes striking while the little girl remains in the vicinity but as she explains not for the reasons one might think. She would rather risk having a terrorist group kill dozens of people than have her own government bear the responsibility for the death of one innocent person.

For a film the relies heavily on dialogue, “Eye in the Sky” is a fast-paced thriller that keeps the viewer on the edge of his or her seat and asking questions long after the credits have rolled. Director Gavin Hood and writer Guy Hibbert certainly succeeded in creating a nuanced film that offers a balanced perspective of the rules of engagement in our day and age.

“Eye in the Sky” is told almost entirely in real time and gives little backstory on the characters. However, one of the most memorable scenes takes place at the beginning of the film and involves Rickman purchasing a baby doll for a little girl (presumably his daughter or his granddaughter). It breaks the tension and reminds us what a gifted and versatile actor Rickman was.

“Eye in the Sky” opens March 11 in Los Angeles and New York and March 18 in other select cities. For a complete list of theaters, go here.