Good Kill

Major Thomas Egan begins his new assignment at an Air Force Base near Las Vegas, piloting MQ-9 Reaper drones. Initially perceived as low-pressure, this role allows him to balance family life with military duties while targeting terrorist cells in Afghanistan.

Egan embraces suburban life with his wife and two children, experiencing cherished family moments. His routine appears peaceful as he manages daytime missions and enjoys quiet nights off duty.

As Egan is assigned more sorties, the frequency of his missions increases, and the pressure starts to take a toll on him. His wife begins to notice the gradual changes in his demeanor, leading him to cope through alcohol.

Despite the mounting pressure, Egan's operational performance remains exemplary, earning high ratings among his peers. His commanding officer responds by assigning him to more demanding missions in complex war zones.

Egan's missions extend to Yemen and Somalia, where he navigates dangerous terrains with no official military presence. The blurred lines of operation heighten his moral dilemmas as civilians, including women and children, become targets.

Egan encounters the grim outcome of collateral damage as orders come to strike civilian locations. The rationale presented by the CIA—that these civilians are human shields—does little to alleviate the growing burden on his conscience.

Egan begins isolating himself from his family and postpones commitments as he fights to shield them from his escalating stress. His addiction worsens, culminating in a near-disaster incident with law enforcement due to drunk driving.

Facing the emotional fallout of his increasingly harrowing missions, Egan experiences profound regret after failing to protect U.S. troops from an attack. This moment serves as a catalyst for a violent outburst at home, straining his relationship with his wife.

In a climactic moment, Egan's wife confronts him about the toll his job is taking on their family. This confrontation leads to her decision to leave, further fracturing Egan's already fragile state of mind.

Egan faces an ethically perilous command from his CIA controller to strike civilians responding to a previous explosion. In a moment of moral clarity, he creatively uses the UAV control system to prevent the attack, costing him his position in active missions.

Relegated to surveillance duties, Egan grapples with his altered role while becoming increasingly fixated on a man involved in a heinous crime. He finds a new focus in his desperation for redemption.

Egan devises a plan to take justice into his own hands as he prepares to eliminate the rapist he has become obsessed with. He manipulates his support staff's schedule, creating an opportunity to execute his plan.

Fueled by the pursuit of retribution, Egan abandons his established life in Las Vegas. With an unknown destination ahead, he finds a renewed sense of purpose driving him forward.