K-19: The Widowmaker

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K-19: The Widowmaker

PG-13

2002

2h 18m

Mystery & Thriller

History

Drama

War

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Popcornmeter

59%

Tomatometer

164 Reviews

53%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Follows Captain Alexei Vostrikov who, at the height of the Cold War, is ordered to take over command of the nuclear missile submarine K-19, pride of the Soviet Navy. His assignment: Prepare the K-19 for sea and take her out on patrol -- no matter what the cost. But problems with the K-19 arise that may lead to a core meltdown and explosion that will certainly kill all aboard, and possibly trigger a nuclear war. Vostrikov must choose between his orders and the lives of his men.

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Critics Consensus

A gripping drama even though the filmmakers have taken liberties with the facts.

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Stanley Kauffmann

The New Republic

Mar 5, 2013

Why did movie moguls think that this was the right moment for a tale of unflinching loyalty to the Soviet Union?

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Jason Best

BBC.com

Sep 26, 2002

4/5

The movie's true hero -- or heroine -- is Bigelow, who once again proves herself one of the very best action directors around.

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Rex Reed

Observer

Jul 25, 2002

What could have been a movie packed with historical significance and nail-gnawing underwater tension ends up little more than a lumbering public-service announcement for the human spirit.

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Dillon Gonzales

Geek Vibes Nation

Nov 14, 2025

Bigelow crafts a tale of great dramatic tension without having to play up the action aspects of the tale. This is much more character-based than you might suspect, and it thrives in that respect.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Apr 2, 2024

2/4

Not to be confused with K-9, K-2 or even K-PAX, the fact-based K-19 is nevertheless strictly DOA and should be KO’d ASAP.

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Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

Aug 4, 2020

3/5

Does a competent job of creating the same sense of creepy claustrophobia that made classic sub actioners like Das Boot, Crimson Tide and The Hunt For Red October so memorable.

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Gareth V

@geewah Oct 15, 2026

A respectable, well intentioned and frequently tense movie, but more of a historical curiosity than the classic it wanted to be.

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AC C

@Mon_Alisa Sep 3, 2026

Master Qui Gon and Han Solo? I don’t need to know much more. While some of Ford’s decisions as captain had holes, the radiation scenes pushed this movie up there for me. Quite haunting and even more so as it’s based off true events.

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mark g

@Mark_Alan_G. Sep 6, 2025

I love Kathryn Bigilow, skilled director for sure. However, this is a lousy film. Melodramatic and sappy, it is really geared towards a simplistic audience that has an affinity for the USSR. And the accents cannot be ignored.

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Ben T

@RT45843264 Aug 9, 2025

My go-to sub film. It has the authenticity and emotion, and grasps the viewers attention with a compelling story. The performances by all the cast are without flaw which adds to the atmosphere of being within a Soviet sub.

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Rob A

@RT76386004 Apr 23, 2025

An excellent cold war nuclear sub disaster flick, starring legends Harrison Ford, Liam Neeson and a young Peter Sarsgaard. It's loosely based on a true story and I've enjoyed it multiple times. I felt the score, especially towards the end, was a bit over the top - but honestly, this film is underrated. K-19 The Widow Maker was a gripping, emotional thriller.

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Mwalimu J

@RT91093418 Apr 8, 2025

Saw for the 2nd? 3rd? time today. Definitely the ratings are way off.

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Kathryn Bigelow

Director

Harrison Ford

Captain Alexi Vostrikov

Liam Neeson

Captain Mikhail Polenin

Peter Sarsgaard

Reactor Officer Vadim Radtchenko

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Marshal Zelentsov

John Shrapnel

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Synopsis

Follows Captain Alexei Vostrikov who, at the height of the Cold War, is ordered to take over command of the nuclear missile submarine K-19, pride of the Soviet Navy. His assignment: Prepare the K-19 for sea and take her out on patrol -- no matter what the cost. But problems with the K-19 arise that may lead to a core meltdown and explosion that will certainly kill all aboard, and possibly trigger a nuclear war. Vostrikov must choose between his orders and the lives of his men.

Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Producer: Kathryn Bigelow, Sigurjon Sighvatsson, Christine Whitaker, Edward S. Feldman
Screenwriter: Christopher Kyle
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: National Geographic Society, Palomar, First Light Production, New Regency Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Disturbing Images)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, History, Drama, War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 19, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $35.2M
Runtime: 2h 18m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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