The Yellow Birds

The Yellow Birds

Year: 2018

Runtime: 94 min

Language: English

Director: Alexandre Moors

Echo Score: 55

Budget: $12M

DramaWar

During the Gulf War, soldiers Bartle and Murph experience the harsh realities of combat and grapple with the lasting impact of their experiences. Bartle is burdened by a promise made to Murph's mother, creating a complex dynamic between the two men and testing the strength of their friendship as they struggle to cope with the trauma of war.

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Timeline & Setting – The Yellow Birds (2018)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Yellow Birds (2018). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Although the specific time period isn't mentioned, the film reflects on contemporary conflicts, particularly those faced by U.S. soldiers in the 21st century. The story addresses both the immediate impacts of the Iraq war and the lasting effects of PTSD on returning veterans.

Location

Richmond, Virginia, Iraq

The movie takes place in Richmond, Virginia, where Brandon Bartle struggles to adjust after his deployment. The contrasting backdrop of Iraq represents the harsh realities of war, showcasing the brutal environment soldiers faced during their service.

🏞️ Locations 🌍 War

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:44

Main Characters – The Yellow Birds (2018)

Meet the key characters of The Yellow Birds (2018), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Brandon Bartle (Alden Ehrenreich)

Brandon Bartle is a conflicted soldier grappling with the scars of war and the weight of loss. As he struggles with his PTSD, he embodies the burden of guilt and the challenges faced by veterans upon returning home. His journey reflects the search for redemption and truth amid trauma.

🪖 Soldier 💔 Survivor

Daniel 'Murph' Murphy (Tye Sheridan)

Daniel Murphy is an idealistic young soldier whose dreams are shattered by the harsh realities of war. He experiences a transformative journey from hopeful recruit to a traumatized individual, ultimately becoming a symbol of the costs of conflict and the impact on those left behind.

🌟 Dreamer 💔 Tragic

Maureen Murphy (Jennifer Aniston)

Maureen Murphy is a loving yet distraught mother desperate for news about her son. Her character represents the emotional toll on families of soldiers, embodying both hope and heartache as she seeks closure. Her interactions with Bartle highlight the enduring pain of loss.

👩‍👦 Mother 💔 Grief

Sergeant Sterling (Jack Huston)

Sergeant Sterling is a hardened leader dealing with his own demons while guiding his squad through the horrors of war. His complex character showcases the burdens of responsibility and the emotional struggles of military leadership, culminating in a tragic end.

🪖 Leader 🥀 Troubled

Amy (Toni Collette)

Amy is Bartle's mother, representing the familial aspect of trauma and adjustment after war. Her conflicting emotions towards her son’s experiences highlight the struggle to understand the lasting effects of combat on veterans and the impact on family dynamics.

👩‍👦 Mother 💔 Conflict

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:44

Major Themes – The Yellow Birds (2018)

Explore the central themes of The Yellow Birds (2018), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚔️ War

The theme of war dominates the narrative, exploring the psychological impact of combat on soldiers. It delves into the brutality of the Iraq war and its aftermath, showcasing the trauma and guilt experienced by those who serve, particularly through Bartle's and Murph's experiences.

💔 Loss

Loss is a critical theme, represented through Bartle's struggle with the uncertainty of Murph's fate and his guilt over not being able to protect him. The film poignantly examines how loss affects relationships and the emotional burdens carried by those left behind.

🔗 Connection

The movie explores the importance of connection, especially in times of crisis. The bond between Bartle and Murph is central to the story, showing how friendship can uplift individuals even in the darkest moments and how fragile those connections can be under the weight of war.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:44

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

War Aftermath Stories like The Yellow Birds

Soldiers grapple with the invisible scars of combat long after returning home.If you were moved by the psychological depth of The Yellow Birds, explore more movies like it that examine the heavy toll of war. These similar dramas focus on PTSD, survivor's guilt, and the difficult journey home for soldiers carrying invisible wounds.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread often employ flashbacks to contrast the chaos of combat with the unsettling quiet of civilian life. The central conflict is internal, as protagonists battle memories, guilt, and a sense of alienation, struggling to find meaning after extreme experiences.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the long-term psychological effects of warfare. They prioritize emotional truth over action, creating a sobering and reflective experience centered on trauma, memory, and the difficult path toward healing, or acceptance.

Moral Burden Dramas like The Yellow Birds

Characters crushed by the weight of a promise or a terrible secret.Discover movies similar to The Yellow Birds that explore the heavy theme of moral burdens. These films feature characters grappling with promises made, secrets kept, and the devastating guilt that follows, often resulting in a poignant and bittersweet emotional journey.

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Narrative Summary

These stories typically follow a character who makes a well-intentioned promise or is forced into a difficult choice. The plot then unravels the consequences of that decision, focusing on the internal struggle with guilt, the strain on key relationships, and the slow, painful process of confronting the truth.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their intense focus on a moral dilemma as the core driver of the drama. They share a heavy, melancholic tone, slow pacing that allows for deep psychological exploration, and an ending that acknowledges the cost of carrying such a burden.

Unlock the Full Story of The Yellow Birds

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Yellow Birds in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Yellow Birds is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Yellow Birds Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Yellow Birds, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Yellow Birds Summary

The Yellow Birds Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Yellow Birds with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Yellow Birds Timeline

The Yellow Birds Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Yellow Birds that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Yellow Birds Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Yellow Birds

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Yellow Birds: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Yellow Birds

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