Is Valkyrie Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Valkyrie is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies.
It features a runtime of 121 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Valkyrie Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2008, Valkyrie emerges as a significant entry in the Drama, Thriller, War domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Wounded in Africa during World War II, Nazi Col. Unlike standard genre fare, Valkyrie attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Valkyrie features a noteworthy lineup led by Tom Cruise . Supported by the likes of Kenneth Branagh and Bill Nighy , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Valkyrie (2008) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.9/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Valkyrie Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Valkyrie is a Drama, Thriller, War film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through nuanced character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. Wounded in Africa during World War II, Nazi Col. Claus von Stauffenberg returns to his native Germany and joins the Resistance in a daring plan to create a shadow government and assassinate Adolf Hitler. When events unfold so that he becomes a central player, he finds himself tasked with both leading the coup and personally killing the Führer. The screenplay takes time to develop its characters, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's themes.
Valkyrie Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Valkyrie concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Valkyrie reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Valkyrie Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Valkyrie uses real-world events as narrative inspiration. As a drama, thriller, war film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, with attention to period detail and historical context.
Accuracy Assessment: Valkyrie adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch Valkyrie?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Valkyrie Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $75.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $200.3M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Valkyrie Budget
The estimated production budget for Valkyrie is $75.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
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Full Cast & Crew of Valkyrie
- Tom Cruise – Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg
- Kenneth Branagh – Henning von Tresckow
- Bill Nighy – Friedrich Olbricht
- Terence Stamp – Ludwig Beck
- Tom Wilkinson – Friedrich Fromm
Top Highlights
Tom CruiseClaus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg
Kenneth BranaghHenning von Tresckow
Bill NighyFriedrich Olbricht
Terence StampLudwig Beck
Tom WilkinsonFriedrich Fromm
Carice van HoutenNina Schenk Gräfin von Stauffenberg
Kenneth CranhamField Marshal Wilhelm Keitel
Thomas KretschmannOtto Ernst Remer
Eddie IzzardErich Fellgiebel
Kevin McNallyCarl-Friedrich Goerdeler
Where to Watch Valkyrie Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
FilmBox+
MGM Plus Amazon Channel🎟️ Rent on
Apple TV
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Apple TVParents Guide & Age Rating
Valkyrie is rated PG-13. Parents should be aware that it contains violence, action sequences, mature themes. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.9/10, and global collection metrics, Valkyrie stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2008 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Valkyrie movie hit or flop?
Valkyrie has received mixed reviews with a 6.9/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Valkyrie worth watching?
Valkyrie is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Drama, Thriller, War movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Valkyrie online?
Valkyrie is currently available for streaming on FilmBox+. You can also check for it on platforms like FilmBox+, MGM Plus Amazon Channel depending on your region.
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Critic Reviews for Valkyrie
Not all Germans supported that madman RELEASED IN 2008 and directed by Bryan Singer, "Valkyrie" is a World War II crime thriller based on the true story of the last German plot to assassinate Hitler in the Summer of 1944, although it wasn't a crime, of course, but rather an act of heroism. Tom Cruise resembles the protagonist, Colonel Claus Von Stauffenberg, but he lacks his height. Despite this, Cruise is solid in the role and the story works up some quality suspense. Even though we know the plot will fail, you can't help but root for the dissenters' success. Almost 5000 Germans were subsequently executed on grounds of treason for the failed attempt, although not all of them were connected to this specific conspiracy. The film is both entertaining and educational. It shows that there were thousands of Germans who were willing to risk all to get that lunatic out of office. And they almost succeeded. "Valkyrie" is reminiscent of 1976's "The Eagle has Landed" in some ways so, if you liked that one, you'll probably appreciate "Valkyrie." I like the '76 film a little better. THE MOVIE RUNS 2 hours, 1 minute and was shot in Germany, Czech Republic and California. WRITERS: Christopher McQuarrie & Nathan Alexander. GRADE: B
Tom Cruise sports an eye-patch as he takes on the role of Nazi war hero Claus von Stauffenberg. Badly injured he returns to Germany where he is quickly appointed to staff rank with regular access to an appreciative Führer (David Bamber). His arrival co-insides with the increasingly stark realisation from many politicians and officers alike that their hopes of winning the war were dwindling and that something is going to have to be done about removing their neurotic Chancellor and instituting a new national order that might be able to negotiate some sort of peace. Of course, some of the High Command were still fiercely loyal so it was a bit of an eggshell treading operation for von Stauffenberg and his allies as they are not sure whom to trust whilst they put a daring plan into action that could result in a coup treasonable in anyone’s book if they fail. Relying on a fair-to-middling selection of mainly British actors, Bryan Singer does ok with his star here, but the film does really lack jeopardy as it rather trundles out of the traps and gurgles it’s way along before finally enlivening for the last twenty minutes or so. Cruise’s legendary charisma deserts him here and frankly, he hasn’t really the gravitas to carry this off convincingly - and that goes for Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson and (fleetingly) Kenneth Branagh too as this whole production struggles to really capture the complexities and dangers faced by these conspirators - the braver ones and the skin-savers. The actual intricacies of their “Valkyrie” operation itself are superficially glossed over and, given we all know what really happened, the film offers us little compelling to get our teeth into. Disappointing, I’d say. Sorry.
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
