Megan Leavey

Based on a true story, Megan Leavey is a military drama directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite (Blackfish). The films stars Kate Mara, Ramón Rodríguez, Tom Felton, Bradley Whitford, Will Patton, Sam Keeley, Common, and Edie Falco.

Megan Leavey is based on the true life story of a young marine corporal (Mara) whose unique discipline and bond with her military combat dog saved many lives during their deployment in Iraq. When she is assigned to clean up the K9 unit after a disciplinary hearing, Leavey identifies with a particularly aggressive dog, Rex, and is given the chance to train him. Over the course of their service, Megan and Rex completed more than 100 missions until an IED explosion injures them, putting their fate in jeopardy.

Cowperthwaite’s 2013 documentary first brought her and Mara together before reuniting for Megan Leavey. “Gabriela and I talked about different ways we could continue the fight for animals,” Mara says. “I really wanted to work with her because she’s one of my heroes, so I suggested that Gabriela direct Megan Leavey.”

“I come from documentaries and Megan Leavey is based on a true story, so I felt, ‘I can do this,’” Cowperthwaite says. “A lot of war movies depict the experience of a male soldier. Very few follow a woman. It was fascinating for me to look at how a woman starts out in boot camp and ends up becoming a Corporal.”

Megan Leavey is rated PG.