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

60%

Tomatometer

170 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.

Critics Consensus

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

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Stanley Kauffmann

The New Republic

03/05/2013

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

09/26/2002

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

07/25/2002

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

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

04/02/2024

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)

08/04/2020

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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mark g

@Mark_Alan_G. Sep 6

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

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 04/23/2025

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 04/08/2025

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

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Korra N

@RT88131552 04/02/2025

An underrated slow-burning thriller based on a true story, Kathryn Bigelow's WWII drama is fraught & tense, with some great performances & stunning visuals.

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Claudia B

@RT99494658 02/15/2025

Nothing entertaining about this movie that Harrison Ford shouldnt have even considered. One of his worst.

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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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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)