An Acceptable Loss

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2:12

An Acceptable Loss

R

2019

1h 42m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

12%

Tomatometer

33 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

Libby Lamm is a former top national security adviser who, while working with a ruthless, steely-willed political veteran, signed off on a controversial military action that was supposed to end the war on terror. The problem: thousands died under false pretenses. Haunted by what she knows, Libby sets out to tell the truth, risking treason -- and her own life -- to expose a cover-up that stretches all the way to the top.

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Critics Consensus

An Acceptable Loss attempts a political thriller approach to a serious issue, but ends up sacrificing thrills -- as well as a satisfying story -- in the bargain.

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Andrea Gronvall

Chicago Reader

02/19/2020

This speculative political thriller stumbles through most of its first hour.

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Peter Rainer

FilmWeek (LAist)

09/17/2019

It's all pretty muddled and murky while not particularly interesting or well-directed.

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Richard Roeper

Chicago Sun-Times

01/26/2019

3/4

Tika Sumpter demonstrates the screen presence of a true star, and Jamie Lee Curtis creates a monster so terrifying she'd have Michael Myers turning tail and running away.

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Daniel Howat

Next Best Picture

05/19/2022

4/10

It takes a strong voice to comment on massive issues like these. Ultimately, An Acceptable Loss never got these. It’s a subpar thriller with a couple of decent performances within, and not much more.

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Tom Beasley

VultureHound

08/16/2020

2/5

Shot in varying shades of grey throughout and with little kinetic energy, even as it moves into what it presumably believes to be pacy thriller territory.

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EJ Moreno

Flickering Myth

07/28/2019

As a fan of Jamie Lee Curtis, An Acceptable Loss is easy to recommend. But temper your expectations as the film has just as many praises as it does issues.

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05/14/2022

Under an hour into this "suspenseful" movie, I fast-forwarded to get to the point. An hour of my life I'll never get back despite two of my favorite women actors' efforts.

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Michael W

@mawilps 01/02/2022

This thriller movie was pretty good. Tika Sumpter, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ben Tavassoli, Jeff Hephner, Alex Weisman, and the rest of the cast did a pretty good job in this movie. The plot of the movie was dramatic, suspenseful, and tragic. It's about telling the truth anyway possible, even if it can be dangerous. If you haven't seen this movie yet, you may enjoy it. That's my opinion.

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06/04/2021

I like the film! A tale of right and wrong, trust and betrayal in a political world where risking of telling the truth is the ultimate punishment! Good performances by Tika Sumpter and Jamie Lee Curtis.

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mauro l

@Mauro_Lanari 07/18/2020

Slow political thriller with few thrills and a not very convincing script, yet unfortunately really plausible. (Mauro Lanari)

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Jerod S

@jeroduptown 05/12/2020

In her past, she killed thousands to ensure the safety of America (along with Jamie Lee Curtis). Now haunted by the decision, she's under the watchful eye of Jamie as president and handwriting what really happened.

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04/08/2020

Why the drab, near black and white look? Why an incomprehensible story for half the film? Why watch such a flawed movie?

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Joe Chappelle

Director

Tika Sumpter

Libby

Jamie Lee Curtis

Rachel

Ben Tavassoli

Martin

Jeff Hephner

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Deanna Dunagan

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An Acceptable Loss: Trailer 1

2:12

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Synopsis

Libby Lamm is a former top national security adviser who, while working with a ruthless, steely-willed political veteran, signed off on a controversial military action that was supposed to end the war on terror. The problem: thousands died under false pretenses. Haunted by what she knows, Libby sets out to tell the truth, risking treason -- and her own life -- to expose a cover-up that stretches all the way to the top.

Director: Joe Chappelle
Producer: Joe Chappelle, Colleen Griffen
Screenwriter: Joe Chappelle
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: CorradoMooncoin, Particular Crowd
Rating: R (Language and Brief Sexuality)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 18, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 18, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $30.2K
Runtime: 1h 42m