Gerard Butler’s Kandahar: His Best Role in a Bad Film

[{"selector":"#anim-6e184cbc-6791-416a-a46b-3ef1e7802094 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-913627b5-7cd1-4f3f-8013-694037462987","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8788fc35-5a69-48f7-ad2f-5c9b73bfb51e","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(-180deg) translate3d(0px, 127.43413%, 0) rotate(180deg)","rotate(-180deg) translate3d(0px, 0px, 0) rotate(180deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-eb99c4fa-0eb3-4ecd-a47a-5dc9d561b10b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1000,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-077ba298-40cd-4a6e-8a7d-286ee3d54ea2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-111.04816%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-853ccc79-d3eb-467d-af09-66c80d0d94d8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-832621f5-03fb-450d-b4ef-df92044d96f2","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Credit-Gettyimage Gerard Butler usually plays the unbreakable hero, but in Kandahar , he takes on a more subdued, weary role—arguably one of his most layered performances in recent years.

[{"selector":"#anim-f7c24ac3-d2c9-4cfd-8ce8-6af67c95e844 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-445cc1eb-2bf8-4b7d-ba08-7fd99b12fffb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4dff9dd3-8efe-457d-91dc-c78418293259","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(-180deg) translate3d(0px, 127.43413%, 0) rotate(180deg)","rotate(-180deg) translate3d(0px, 0px, 0) rotate(180deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fb3fbb37-eb9f-42f8-8215-2c418dc464be","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1000,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a9f543be-5bc1-45f1-a790-633862731e0e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-113.59774%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b1d1a92f-ef60-440a-9d08-5c550af5bf9e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1052d313-4355-4f78-8ba6-a8f86a056ba0","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Credit-Gettyimage He stars as CIA agent Tom Harris, exposed in Afghanistan and forced to travel 400 miles with his translator Mo, pursued by militias and assassins across hostile terrain.

[{"selector":"#anim-a08b7b29-852e-4b9e-bab8-8136b5377943 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-1.4210854715202004e-14%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fc9046d1-1a0c-4e00-ad4f-25366b7b2077","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c60ec2e6-90af-4019-8163-e5119afc7a9d","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(-180deg) translate3d(0px, 127.43413%, 0) rotate(180deg)","rotate(-180deg) translate3d(0px, 0px, 0) rotate(180deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-16317fab-3e50-463c-a1f2-938991a2095b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1000,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-977126fa-dc29-4259-9927-26def9f2e4d3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-117.09402%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-569bc220-70b4-4d92-90c2-d1b9741ac74c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-be851092-0a10-4aeb-a5c6-a93097c33889","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Credit-Gettyimage The film mixes shootouts, drones, and explosions with long, tense silences. Director Ric Roman Waugh balances action with stillness, amplifying anxiety over spectacle.

[{"selector":"#anim-7a3bb03e-22ef-41b7-ab69-a979faf29ee6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-1.4210854715202004e-14%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-04e60dcc-ffdc-41d5-ba89-32e25b59ff9f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-63c1fe14-6b43-4847-b5b2-5b5d8b4bef1a","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(-180deg) translate3d(0px, 127.43413%, 0) rotate(180deg)","rotate(-180deg) translate3d(0px, 0px, 0) rotate(180deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c9f8fe0c-2352-44a8-8ee1-814703d77bf3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1000,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0cb276d3-220a-4343-8c8e-9b56c5b5a5a8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-110.26393%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-09355ab3-5298-4bce-baab-ba66902ddbb4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ad374b73-47ee-40e2-b82d-dbb8663f36af","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Credit-Gettyimage Screenwriter Mitchell LaFortune, a former intelligence officer, injects realism—focusing on shifting loyalties, espionage chaos, and civilians trapped in endless conflict.

[{"selector":"#anim-2732f994-7fe6-4ce7-a1ac-cd9cd5d491b2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-18dcd265-3faa-4cdf-99c9-b3e1dd834d61","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(-180deg) translate3d(0px, 127.43413%, 0) rotate(180deg)","rotate(-180deg) translate3d(0px, 0px, 0) rotate(180deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-22f96cdf-d9c0-4f8a-ace2-1abb2b272235","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1000,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-96f03d8a-1b67-4541-85e2-e6196d22f177","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-117.66467%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8a13fd5c-d06c-4588-965b-c6da34371752","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f7010f70-c3c8-4846-bc5f-91b261f95279","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Credit-Gettyimage Despite Butler’s strong performance, the action feels contrived and oddly dull. Even intense set pieces lack spark, leaving audiences disconnected from the drama.

[{"selector":"#anim-00a978da-eeb1-4c97-b5bc-4e0132acbc58 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8d0bc939-3216-43f2-8c41-8a3302afca02","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a67fb584-2a02-4a66-ab66-a30149a6a9d4","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(-180deg) translate3d(0px, 127.43413%, 0) rotate(180deg)","rotate(-180deg) translate3d(0px, 0px, 0) rotate(180deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-61e4977b-f337-4162-ada7-7f2da5e99842","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1000,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8249c35d-863d-48d7-bfea-fc61828280a4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-120.5298%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-90bb2123-35ab-4c16-a59f-e4a345113b63","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1cfe49fa-f375-440f-8b78-f39e4ec0f054","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Credit-Gettyimage The overly sentimental ending, filled with forgotten characters and hollow messages, undercuts its serious themes—leaving Kandahar feeling empty and unmemorable.

[{"selector":"#anim-3bd9a8f7-49ac-4aab-aec4-8bb95db9c7d1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Why Taylor Swift Still Hasn’t Won the VMA Vanguard Award Thanks for Reading! Source: Gettyimages Read Next

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Gerard Butler’s Kandahar: His Best Role in a Bad Film

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