Follow TV Tropes

Following

History Film / KillTheMessenger

Go To

OR

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


''Kill the Messenger'' is a 2014 ConspiracyThriller DocuDrama directed by Michael Cuesta based on the Dark Alliance articles by Gary Webb (Creator/JeremyRenner).

While investigating the government's abuse of civil asset forfeiture, Webb discovers that the government has been sponsoring cocaine sales. Webb's investigation uncovers proof of this, which he publishes in a series of articles. Despite initial acclaim, however, things start to turn on Webb when the CIA begins a smear campaign against him.

to:

''Kill the Messenger'' is a 2014 ConspiracyThriller DocuDrama directed by Michael Cuesta based on the Dark Alliance articles by Gary Webb (Creator/JeremyRenner).

Webb.

While investigating the government's abuse of civil asset forfeiture, journalist Gary Webb (Creator/JeremyRenner) discovers that the government has been sponsoring cocaine sales. Webb's investigation uncovers proof of this, which he publishes in a series of articles. Despite initial acclaim, however, things start to turn on Webb when the CIA begins a smear campaign against him.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

[[quoteright:220:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/0abc224c_d9d9_46e5_8bdf_7edc51d1ead0.jpeg]]

''Kill the Messenger'' is a 2014 ConspiracyThriller DocuDrama directed by Michael Cuesta based on the Dark Alliance articles by Gary Webb (Creator/JeremyRenner).

While investigating the government's abuse of civil asset forfeiture, Webb discovers that the government has been sponsoring cocaine sales. Webb's investigation uncovers proof of this, which he publishes in a series of articles. Despite initial acclaim, however, things start to turn on Webb when the CIA begins a smear campaign against him.

!!List of tropes applying to the film:

* DownerEnding: [[spoiler:Webb's reputation is ruined by both the CIA and vindictive, larger newspapers jealous of his success. A WhereAreTheyNowEpilogue reveals he committed suicide.]]
* DudeWheresMyRespect: Webb is understandably pissed off when his highly dangerous investigation, which revealed a massive government conspiracy, is immediately met with doubt and skepticism because everyone's more inclined to believe the CIA, who have obvious reason to lie, than him, particularly his colleagues.
* HalfwayPlotSwitch: The first half focuses on Webb investigating the conspiracy and exposing it, while the second half centers around the fallout ruining his life.
* TheHeroDies: [[spoiler:The WhereAreTheyNowEpilogue reveals Webb committed suicide in 2004.]]
* IntrepidReporter: Webb.
* NoGoodDeedGoesUnPunished: Webb's reward for heroically exposing the conspiracy is to have his life ruined by the subsequent slander from both the CIA and various newspapers wanting to discredit him out of spite for having gotten such a massive story in spite of being a nobody. He does eventually get an award for Journalist of the Year, though.
* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Webb gives an epic one to both the newspapers who slandered him and [[HorribleJudgeOfCharacter believed the CIA's every word]] and his colleagues who hung him out to dry at the first sign of trouble at his award ceremony.

Top