Heroes Don't Come Home is a moving drama film from 2016 that explores the challenges faced by veterans returning home from war. Directed by Jake Hulse and starring Andrew Casanova, Tyler McElroy, and Robert Schorr, the movie tells the story of three soldiers who struggle to adjust to civilian life after serving in Afghanistan. The film opens with a prologue that introduces us to the three main characters. We see them patrolling a war-torn village in Afghanistan, trying to keep the peace amidst the chaos of war. It's clear that they're a tight-knit team, and the bond they share is obvious. However, their camaraderie is put to the test when they return home to the US.
The rest of the movie takes place several months later, as the soldiers attempt to reintegrate into society. Andrew Casanova plays Billie, a young soldier who returns home to find that everything has changed. His girlfriend has moved on, his family is struggling financially, and he can't seem to find a job that fits him. Tyler McElroy plays Dixon, a soldier with a wife and young daughter. Despite his efforts to provide for his family, he struggles with PTSD and finds himself withdrawing from those around him. Finally, Robert Schorr plays Harris, a veteran who has lost his leg in combat. He is struggling to come to terms with his disability and the fact that he may never be able to pursue his dreams of becoming a professional athlete.
As the three soldiers attempt to navigate their new lives, they each encounter their own struggles and setbacks. Billie turns to alcohol and drugs to numb the pain of his reality, while Dixon finds himself lashing out at his family and retreating into himself. Harris, meanwhile, struggles to find purpose in his life without his leg, and is forced to confront the discrimination and ableism he encounters from those around him.
Despite the challenges they face, the soldiers try to support each other as best they can. They attend veteran support groups together, and even hatch a plan to start a business together. However, their efforts are often met with resistance and misunderstanding from the civilian world around them. They face discrimination from potential employers, judgement from friends and family members who don't understand their experiences, and even physical violence from strangers.
Throughout the movie, the soldiers' struggles are portrayed with sensitivity and nuance. The filmmakers clearly did their research, and the experiences of the characters feel authentic and grounded in reality. The acting is also strong, with all three main actors delivering powerful performances that pack an emotional punch.
Overall, Heroes Don't Come Home is a poignant and thought-provoking movie that shines a light on the challenges faced by veterans in our society. While it's not always an easy watch, it's an important one that encourages empathy and understanding for those who have sacrificed so much for our country.
Heroes Don't Come Home is a 2016 war movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 48 minutes.
It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4.