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Samuel L. Jackson, Carrie-Anne Moss, Michael Sheen, Martin Donovan, Gil Bellows ... see more see more... , Brandon Routh

Armed with the knowledge that their suspect has planted three nuclear bombs in three U.S. cities, black ops interrogator H (Samuel L. Jackson) and FBI Agent Helen Brody (Carrie-Anne Moss) resort to ex... read more read more...treme methods to get the confession that could save millions of innocent lives. A former nuclear expert, Younger (Michael Sheen) has turned against his country. Shortly after Younger plants his bombs, he's apprehended by the nation's top anti-terrorism task force. But while Younger is in custody, the FBI can't get him to reveal where the nukes have been hidden. H may be able to get an answer, but once Agent Brody gets a glimpse of his tactics, she begins to wonder whether the good guys have finally stooped to the level of the terrorists, or if H is truly justified in fighting fire with fire. Unthinkable co-starsBrandon Routh, Martin Donovan, and Stephen Root. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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62% want to see it

11,503 ratings

R, 1 hr. 36 min.

Directed by: Gregor Jordan

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DVD Release Date: June 15, 2010

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Flixster Reviews (1,857)

  • CloudStrife84
    September 15, 2011
    CloudStrife84
    Where do we draw the line for what's justified to do, when extracting information from a suspected terrorist? Brilliantly exploring this very complex question, this highly intense drama faces us against ourselves, as we are obliged to consider our true position on the fundaments ... read moreof human rights. It may be easy to say that pain-inflicting interrogation forms are wrong in their very essence, but what if that person holds information that could save a million lives or more? Or what if he was one of the perpetrators behind a terrorist act that killed someone you knew? Would you still say no to the implementation of torture? No matter your answer to that, you can be sure that this movie will have you fully involved. Michael Sheen, who keeps growing on me as an actor with every movie I see him in, delivers a raw, enthralling and emotionally powerful performance, as a sly and unyielding muslim terrorist. It's a very up-close sort of film, that for the most part takes place in the interrogation room. But it's precisely that level of focus that makes us fully invested into the characters. Samuel L. Jackson is exceptional in one of the leads, and provides an intimidating anti-thesis to the solicitous FBI agent played by Carrie-Anne Moss. Not easily digested stuff, but if you can manage its discomforts, this is well worth taking the time to see. A riveting morality tale, of great contemporary and intellectual worth.
  • bbcfloridabound
    May 8, 2011
    bbcfloridabound
    A pretty good Black Ops CIA film. An American Terrorist who has converted to Islam has 3 Nuclear Bombs planted in 3 cities across America. Samuel Jackson is brought in to question the terrorist using some no so light hearted tactics. Working with a female from the FBI who is supp... read moreosed to be the person in charge but her weak heart ways make the clash between her and Jackson an outstanding film. About the best film I have seen him in for years. 4 1/2 stars
  • deano
    March 27, 2011
    deano
    This movie is overcome to fashion a relatively engrossing thriller. But Unthinkable ends without really answering any of the big moral questions it (clumsily) seeks to ask: when, if ever, are torture and killing just? Why are the suits always happy to stay clean while watc... read morehing others get blood on their hands? Australian Gregor Jordan directs, but falls short of making a potentially white-knuckle concept as gripping as it could be.
    Michael Sheen was playing very well and he did a good job - as always- here. Samuel L. Jackson was very "deep" in this movie and his acting was great.
  • shawnewing92
    March 14, 2011
    shawnewing92
    In absolute desperation, is there really no limits to the human being? This film is extremely graphic and should not be watched by anyone with a weak stomach. The acting is incredible and the thought provoking questions are as deep as they get. This film takes on the unthinkable ... read morein a realistic situation of terrorism in America and the capabilities of the human kind.
  • LWOODS04
    January 3, 2011
    LWOODS04
    Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Carrie-Anne Moss, Michael Sheen, Stephen Root, Lora Kojovic, Martin Donovan, Gil Bellows, Vincent Laresca, Brandon Routh, Benito Martinez, Yara Shahidi, Sasha Roiz

    Director: Gregor Jordan

    Summary: When the government gets wind of a plot to destroy... read more America involving a trio of nuclear weapons, locations unknown, it's up to a seasoned interrogator (Samuel L. Jackson) and an FBI agent (Carrie-Anne Moss) to find out exactly where they are. A suspected terrorist who's already in custody is their only chance for a timely answer. But what will it take to get him to talk?

    My Thoughts: "Unthinkable, is spot on in it's title. Because the things this character 'H' does, is exactly that. It's really hard to watch, and hard to sympathize with Younger (the terrorist) considering he has planted nuclear bombs in three American cities. Not only does this movie make you think, but it definitely has you going back and forth on your feelings of the actions taking place against Younger. Do you side with Brody, who thinks its un-human what they are doing to Younger or do you side with 'H', who see's only a terrorist and doing anything necessary to get the answer's needed? I found myself going back and forth with that question. By the end I had made up my mind. I think 'H' could have went a lot further then what he did. Thankfully Brody stepped in, in the right moment and 'H' took her advice. Great tense movie with some brutal scenes. Great acting by all, especially Sheen and Jackson. A movie worth seeing."
  • itsjustme2004
    January 2, 2011
    itsjustme2004
    O..M..G..!!!! This movie is a PERFECT example in how the ending can totally destroy a perfectly fantastic movie!!! I was completely enjoying this very suspensful, graphic, exciting film right up to the very last 2 seconds (literally). Then it just ended. I guess when you can't de... read morecide how to end a movie...you just roll the credits, and let the audience make up their own ending...???..I am so angry right now! Grrrrrrrr.
  • xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    October 28, 2010
    xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    It was kinda boring at moments and at some were intense but in between it was normal nothing out of ordinary.

    A convert to Islam sends the U.S. government a tape showing him in three non-descript storage rooms, each of which may contain a nuclear bomb set to detonate in less tha... read moren a week. Helen Brody, an FBI agent in L.A., is tasked with finding the bombs while a CIA "consultant," known as "H," interrogates the suspect who has allowed himself to be caught. The suspect, whose wife and children have left him and disappeared, seems to know exactly what the interrogation will entail. Even as "H" ratchets up the pressure, using torture over Brody's objection, the suspect doesn't crack. Should "H" do the unthinkable, and will Brody acquiesce? Is any Constitutional principal worth possible loss of life?
  • roygutteridge
    October 5, 2010
    roygutteridge
    ...an entertaining and thought-provoking drama...
  • allan913
    July 30, 2010
    allan913
    An intense, hard-boiled and mind-blowing edge of your seat thriller. A powerful and astonishing film. It's a timely, stunning and relentlessly exciting film that should not be missed. A film that's as real and gut-wrenching as it is shockingly entertaining. It's solidly well-craf... read moreted and superbly performed. A ticking clock cat and mouse ride that's razor-sharp and utterly suspenseful from start to finish. An excellent film. This is one explosive and heart-pounding ride that commands your attention and has a vicious and cold message. Samuel L. Jackson gives one of the most mesmerizing and unforgettable performances of his career, its right up there with Black Snake Moan and Pulp Fiction. Jackson is a pure knockout, you will not want to take your eyes off him. Carrie-Ann Moss is outstanding, she brings as much strength to to her character as she does emotional vulnerability. Michael Sheen is brilliant, he acts with fire and riveting energy that truly explodes in this film.
  • sononothing
    July 19, 2010
    sononothing
    Let's look at the situation for a minute. You have a terrorist who has planted three nuclear bombs in three American cities. He has demands which can't be reasonably fulfilled. What do you do? Does Jack Ryan save the day? Does Superman fly in a grab the three bombs, hurling them ... read moreinto the sun? That's what would happen in fiction, but what happens for real? Unthinkable examines what would happen if the same scenario was posed to the United States right now.



    Steven Arthur Younger (Michael Sheen) is the terrorist mentioned above. When he's captured the government is faced with two choices. The first is to allow the FBI interrogations unit headed by Agent Brody (Carrie-Anne Moss) do a traditional interrogation. The second choice is a man known simply as "H" (Samuel L. Jackson), who in a way is even more traditional than Brody in that some of his techniques go back to the Spanish Inquisition. Some could call H a sadist, others a surgeon. His is the governments ultimate tool in gaining much needed information.



    The thing about Unthinkable is that it makes you think right up until the end. Some of you will question your own ethics by the end of this film. Where is the line drawn? Do we honor the rights of one person at the expense of fifteen million? At what point do the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one? When it's all said and done you wonder who was more sane- H or his government handlers. He knew his goal and how to achieve it. The film is a moral struggle that will pull the viewer into it's tug of war of conscious. A thriller that allows you to think, which is a rare commodity today.

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Critic Reviews

Joe Leydon
July 6, 2010
Joe Leydon, Variety

The give-and-take between opposing characters is passionately played, but the actual dialogue often sounds like excerpts from op-ed essays constructed from talking points. Full Review

David Nusair
July 21, 2010
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

...an entertaining and thought-provoking drama... Full Review

Sean Axmaker
June 27, 2010
Sean Axmaker, Seanax.com

... a clumsy polemic that bounces between the boundaries of stage-play debate and torture porn spectacle as everyone argues over ethics... Full Review

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Facts

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    • "H": Every man, no matter how strong he is, lies to himself about something. I will find your lie. I will break you.
    • "H": You hear that Yusef? You're in the clear, you're a free man. You don't even have to tell them about the 4th bomb.
    • "H": Ahh... military intelligence. The great oxymoron.
    • "H": There is no H. and Younger... there's only victory and defeat. The winner gets to take the moral high-ground, because they get to write the history books. The loser... just loses. The only miscalculation in your plan... was me.
    • Yusuf/Younger: ok.ok. i think i can make it, now.
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Unthinkable Trivia

  • "The Unthinkable Thoughts of Jacob Green." is a novel written by what famous actor's brother?  Answer »
  • Correction: In 'The Princess Bride' what word does Vincini use excessively? You Chose: a. inconcievable (Correct - 10 pts) Correct Answer: a. inconcievable (10%) b. unbelievable (5%) c. unthinkable (3%) d. unimaginable (1%) His name is not Vincini. What is the character's name?  Answer »
  • What Movie is this Tagline from? "Once unbelievable. Now unthinkable. The chilling classic returns"   Answer »
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