Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant became a Netflix hit during its U.S. streaming run, but it is not a Netflix original—and it is no longer listed as streaming on Netflix U.S. in the latest availability check. The 2023 action drama stars Jake Gyllenhaal as U.S. Army Sergeant John Kinley and Dar Salim as Ahmed, an Afghan interpreter who saves Kinley’s life. The film’s high audience rating helped attract attention, although the often-repeated “97%” figure was a time-specific Rotten Tomatoes audience-score snapshot, not a permanent critic score.
As of the latest U.S. check available for this article, dated July 29, 2026, The Covenant was listed on Hulu and for digital rental or purchase through Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. Streaming rights change frequently, so check the retailer or service before subscribing or renting.
What is Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant about?
Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant is a 2023 Afghanistan-set war thriller about a soldier who returns to a combat zone to repay a personal debt.
Jake Gyllenhaal plays Sergeant John Kinley, who is serving in Afghanistan during the later phase of the war. Dar Salim plays Ahmed, an Afghan interpreter working with Kinley and his unit. After a catastrophic ambush, Ahmed helps the badly injured Kinley escape. Kinley survives, but Ahmed and his family remain in Afghanistan, exposed to retaliation and without the protection Kinley believes was promised to them.
#1 Best Overall
- 50 high-grade non-rewritable BD-R discs with a one hundred year archival life and OEM drive certified
- Verbatim Blu-ray discs are treated with a super hard coat to prevent scratches, resist fingerprints and reduce dust build-up
- Single-layer Blu-ray discs offers up to 25GB of storage space to back-up your video, music, photos and can work on any writers up to 16X
- Compatible with the latest Blu-ray hardware including Sony, Pioneer, Panasonic, Dell, Lenovo, HP, and LG
- Verbatim has been a leader in data storage technology since 1969 and guarantees this product with a limited lifetime warranty and technical support
Kinley eventually goes back to find Ahmed. The rescue mission is the film’s immediate action premise, but the larger subject is the obligation owed to Afghan interpreters who worked alongside U.S. forces and could face danger because of that cooperation.
Is The Covenant based on a true story?
No—not in the sense of being a literal account of one documented mission or one specific soldier and interpreter. Kinley, Ahmed, the rescue operation, and the film’s principal events are fictionalized.
However, the situation behind the story reflects real events. Afghan interpreters who worked with U.S. forces faced threats from the Taliban and other hostile actors, while many interpreters and their families encountered difficult, delayed, or uncertain visa and relocation processes after the U.S. withdrawal. The film uses a fictional rescue story to dramatize that broader, real-world problem.
That distinction matters. The Covenant is best described as a fictional war drama inspired by the experiences and plight of Afghan interpreters—not as a documentary, a historically exact account of the U.S. withdrawal, or a dramatization of one verified true story.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesWhy did the movie become a Netflix streaming hit?
The “Netflix hit” description refers to a specific period rather than the film’s permanent status. Netflix added The Covenant to its U.S. catalog on December 5, 2025. Contemporary coverage then placed it among Netflix’s U.S. Top 10 titles during the week of December 13.
That gave the movie a second major audience life after its theatrical release. It originally opened in U.S. cinemas on April 21, 2023, but it was not a blockbuster on the scale of a major franchise film. Later streaming exposure made it easier for viewers to discover a recognizable action director working in a more serious register.
There are two important qualifications:
- It is not a Netflix original. The film originated as an MGM/STX production and later became part of the Amazon MGM distribution ecosystem.
- A chart appearance is time-sensitive. Being in Netflix’s Top 10 during a particular week does not establish a permanent performance record or mean the title remains on Netflix.
In other words, “Netflix hit” is a reasonable description of the film’s December 2025 streaming moment, provided it is not presented as a current Netflix availability claim.
Rank #2
- 10 high-grade, non-rewritable BD-R discs, OEM certified, with a one hundred year archival life
- Verbatim Blu-ray discs are treated with Hard Coat to prevent scratches, resist fingerprints and reduce dust build-up
- Single-layer discs with up to 25GB of storage space to back-up your HD video, music and photos with superb resolution and amazing sound quality.
- Up to 6x write speed. Compatible with the latest Blu-ray hardware including Sony, Pioneer, Panasonic, Dell, Lenovo, HP, and LG.
- Verbatim has been a leader in data storage technology since 1969, and guarantees this product with a limited lifetime warranty and technical support
What does the “97% RT rated” claim mean?
The 97% figure refers to an earlier Rotten Tomatoes audience score, not a 97% critic score. Rotten Tomatoes scores can change as additional ratings are collected or its displayed aggregates are updated.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
The current Rotten Tomatoes listing retrieved for this article shows 82% from critics and 98% from audiences. The safest way to describe the film is therefore that it has received a high-90s audience score, while identifying the score type and date when precision matters.
The film’s critical reception has been broadly favorable but not unanimous. Reviewers have generally praised the performances, the early tension, and the straightforward emotional premise. Some have argued that the film’s political examination of Afghan interpreters and U.S. responsibility is less developed than its action and personal drama.
That split explains much of the movie’s appeal. It works efficiently as a rescue thriller, while also pointing toward a complicated real-world issue that it does not explore with the scope of a documentary or investigative report.
Who is in the cast?
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Jake Gyllenhaal | Sergeant John Kinley |
| Dar Salim | Ahmed |
| Antony Starr | Eddie Parker |
| Emily Beecham | Caroline Kinley |
| Alexander Ludwig | Sergeant Declan O’Brady |
| Sean Sagar | Charlie Crowther |
Gyllenhaal provides the film’s familiar Hollywood lead, but Salim’s performance is essential to its emotional balance. Ahmed is not merely a plot device who translates dialogue for the Americans; his decisions, courage, and vulnerability drive the story. The relationship between the two men is what separates the film from a routine military mission thriller.
Who directed The Covenant?
Guy Ritchie directed the film and co-wrote it with Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies. Christopher Benstead composed the score, and Ed Wild served as cinematographer.
The project represents a clear departure from Ritchie’s better-known crime comedies and stylized gangster films. It still contains the kinetic action and brisk propulsion associated with his work, but its tone is comparatively restrained. The film is built around loyalty, guilt, and responsibility rather than wisecracking criminals or elaborate criminal schemes.
Rank #3
- 25 high-grade, non-rewritable BD-R discs, OEM certified, with a one hundred year archival life
- Verbatim Blu-ray discs are treated with Hard Coat to prevent scratches, resist fingerprints and reduce dust build-up
- Single-layer discs with up to 25GB of storage space to back-up your HD video, music and photos with superb resolution and amazing sound quality.
- Up to 16x write speed. Compatible with the latest Blu-ray hardware including Sony, Pioneer, Panasonic, Dell, Lenovo, HP, and LG.
- Verbatim has been a leader in data storage technology since 1969, and guarantees this product with a limited lifetime warranty and technical support
That change in genre is part of the film’s appeal. It allows Ritchie to use the mechanics of an accessible action movie to tell a story about an alliance that continues after the battlefield relationship has ended.
What does the film say about Afghan interpreters?
The movie’s central moral question is simple: what does a military force owe the local people whose cooperation makes its operations possible?
Ahmed’s work is dangerous because he is associated with the American forces. When the mission is over, that association does not disappear. His family remains vulnerable, and the formal promise of protection has not produced safety quickly enough. Kinley’s decision to return is therefore more than a standard rescue objective. It is his attempt to turn an obligation into action.
The film is strongest when it keeps that issue personal. It shows how a broad political failure can be experienced by one interpreter, one family, and one soldier who cannot accept that the mission is finished.
Its limitation is that the feature-length action format leaves less room for a comprehensive examination of immigration policy, the U.S. withdrawal, or the full range of Afghan experiences. Viewers looking for the historical and political background should treat the film as an emotionally direct fictional drama, not as a complete account.
How long is The Covenant, and what is its rating?
In the United States, The Covenant is rated R and runs approximately 123 minutes.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteExpect sustained war violence, shootings, explosions, peril, traumatic injuries, strong language, and adult themes involving military conflict, displacement, and danger to civilians. It is not a documentary suitable for viewers seeking nonviolent historical explanation, and its combat sequences can be intense.
Rank #4
- 100GB STORAGE CAPACITY: Each BDXL disc provides high-capacity storage for scientific images, HD video, music, backups, and other large files.
- UP TO 6X WRITE SPEED: Supports recording speeds up to 6X for efficient archival storage with compatible BDXL optical drives.
- BDXL DRIVE COMPATIBILITY: Designed for recording and playback with compatible BDXL burners and optical drives.
- LONG-TERM ARCHIVAL STORAGE: Data is engraved onto a patented inorganic layer that resists light, temperature, and humidity, with a projected lifetime of several hundred years.
- 5-PACK WITH JEWEL CASES: Includes five individually protected M DISC BDXL discs and a Verbatim 10-Year Limited Warranty.
Where can you watch The Covenant in the U.S.?
As of July 29, 2026, the latest U.S. availability information located for this article listed:
- Hulu for subscription streaming.
- Amazon Video for digital rental or purchase.
- Apple TV Store for digital rental or purchase.
- Fandango At Home for digital rental or purchase.
Netflix is not listed as the current U.S. streaming home in that check, despite the film’s earlier December 2025 Netflix run. Availability may differ outside the United States and can change when licensing agreements expire or move between services.
If you are searching for where to watch The Covenant, verify the listing in your country before paying for a subscription. A title’s appearance in a search result, a past Netflix Top 10 article, or an old recommendation does not guarantee that it is still included with a service.
Recommended Free Tools
Can you own the movie?
Yes. U.S. physical editions were released on June 20, 2023, including DVD and Blu-ray formats. Retail listings also documented a Blu-ray/DVD/digital combination edition. Stock, seller, regional compatibility, and included digital rights should be confirmed before purchase.
Physical and digital options
- DVD: Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant DVD may suit viewers who want a basic physical copy. Confirm the seller and region before ordering.
- Blu-ray: Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant Blu-ray is the more appropriate physical option for viewers with a Blu-ray player and a preference for higher-definition video.
- Digital: To rent Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant, check the live Amazon Video listing and confirm whether the displayed option is a rental or a purchase.
Prices, inventory, format details, and availability are subject to change. The links in this box should be verified and replaced with approved retailer links before publication.
Was The Covenant successful in theaters?
The film opened theatrically in the United States in April 2023. Box Office Mojo lists a reported production budget of approximately $55 million, while contemporary box-office coverage placed its domestic theatrical performance below that of a major blockbuster.
That context makes the later streaming response more significant. The movie’s audience grew through a different route: a recognizable star, a familiar action filmmaker, strong word of mouth, and a premise that combined combat suspense with a clear emotional promise.
Best Value
- 50 high-grade non-rewritable BD-R discs with rapid-dry ink absorption for clear text and high quality images
- Verbatim Blu-ray discs are treated with a super hard coat to prevent scratches, resist fingerprints and reduce dust build-up
- Single-layer Blu-ray discs offers up to 25GB of storage space to back-up your video, music, photos and can work on any writers up to 16X
- Compatible with the latest Blu-ray hardware including Sony, Pioneer, Panasonic, Dell, Lenovo, HP, and LG
- Verbatim has been a leader in data storage technology since 1969, and guarantees this product with a limited lifetime warranty and technical support
Its distribution history also helps explain why viewers may encounter different watch options. The film began as an MGM/STX production, received a U.S. physical-media release in 2023, later entered the Amazon MGM ecosystem, and subsequently reached Netflix’s U.S. catalog in December 2025 before leaving that service.
Is The Covenant worth watching?
For viewers who want a tightly structured action drama with a serious emotional center, yes. The film delivers an easily understood mission, sustained danger, and a relationship that gives the violence a human consequence. Gyllenhaal and Salim provide the central performances, and the story moves with enough urgency to avoid becoming a lecture.
Viewers should approach it with more qualified expectations if they want a detailed political history of Afghanistan, a documentary treatment of interpreter resettlement, or a fully balanced account of the U.S. withdrawal. The film raises those subjects but prioritizes the personal rescue story.
The most accurate description is a fictional, well-acted war thriller that uses one soldier’s return mission to dramatize the real danger faced by Afghan interpreters. Its Netflix popularity reflects renewed audience access, not a change in what the film is—and not proof that it remains on Netflix today.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Frequently Asked Questions
Is Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant a Netflix original?
No. It is a 2023 MGM/STX production that later became available through different distribution and streaming arrangements. Netflix added it to its U.S. catalog on December 5, 2025, but that did not make it a Netflix original.
Is The Covenant based on a true story?
It is not based on one specific documented true story. Its characters and rescue mission are fictionalized, while its depiction of the danger and visa difficulties faced by Afghan interpreters draws on real circumstances.
Does The Covenant still stream on Netflix?
The latest U.S. availability check used for this article, dated July 29, 2026, did not list it on Netflix. It listed Hulu and digital rental or purchase options, but availability can vary by territory and date.
What does the 97% Rotten Tomatoes score refer to?
The 97% figure was an earlier Rotten Tomatoes audience-score snapshot. The current listing retrieved for this article showed 82% from critics and 98% from audiences, so the score should always be identified by type and date.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The Bottom Line
The bottom line: Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant is a fictional but emotionally grounded Afghanistan war thriller about a U.S. soldier returning to save the Afghan interpreter who saved him. Its high-90s audience rating and December 2025 Netflix Top 10 run explain the renewed attention, but the film is not a Netflix original and is not currently listed on Netflix U.S. in the latest check.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
