The Men Who Stare at Goats (film)

The Men Who Stare at Goats is a 2009 dark comedy war film directed by Grant Heslov and starring George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges, and Kevin Spacey. It is loosely based on the 2004 non-fiction book of the same name by Jon Ronson, which investigates the U.S. Army's New Earth Army and its exploration of paranormal and psychological techniques for military purposes.

The film follows Bob Wilton (McGregor), a journalist desperate for a story after his wife leaves him. He stumbles upon the story of Lyn Cassady (Clooney), a former U.S. Army Special Forces operative who claims to be a "Jedi Warrior" trained in esoteric skills, including telekinesis, invisibility, and the ability to kill goats simply by staring at them.

Wilton accompanies Cassady on a bizarre road trip, encountering other members of the New Earth Army and uncovering the history of their unconventional training program, which was inspired by the teachings of Bill Django (Bridges). The film satirizes the U.S. military's experimentation with New Age philosophies and unconventional warfare tactics during the Cold War and beyond. It explores themes of delusion, propaganda, and the absurdity of war, while also highlighting the potential for positive applications of mindfulness and psychological techniques.

The film's title refers to one of the central claims made by the characters: that they were trained to kill goats using only their minds. This concept serves as a metaphor for the more extreme and outlandish aspects of the New Earth Army's training.

The Men Who Stare at Goats received mixed reviews, with critics praising its comedic performances and satirical take on military culture, but also criticizing its uneven pacing and lack of narrative focus. Despite the mixed reception, the film has gained a cult following for its quirky humor and exploration of unconventional themes.