10 Most Intense War Movies Ever Made
5. The Hurt Locker
In one of Jeremy Renner's final big roles before becoming fan-favourite Hawkeye in the MCU, he steps into the role Sergeant First Class William James, a bomb disposal expert.
He becomes the leader of an EOD unit during the Iraq war after the unit's previous commander was killed while attempting to disarm an IED.
James, alongside squad-mates Sanborn and Eldridge, journey through Iraq as they disarm several improvised bombs that threaten other US Army units and the general Iraqi populace.
James' methods of bomb disposal - in that he never seems to be taking it all too seriously despite the imminent danger - drives a wedge between himself and Sanborn, who even contemplates 'accidentally' killing the Sergeant.
Watching William James go to work with the bombs is as tense as you may expect.
He is forced to find, cut and remove the right cables and components whilst exposed to gunfire from surrounding buildings and the unrelenting Middle Eastern sun.
Intersecting the bomb disarmament are several other scenes that do nothing to cut away from the intensity.
Between a marksman duel with bodies dropping all around them and a rapid hunt through pitch-black alleyways, this brilliant film is sure to get your heart racing.