Richard Jewell (2019)
Kernel Score: 83% · 2,681 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama, History
Released: 2019-12-13
Runtime: 131 minutes
Is Richard Jewell worth watching?
Worth watching. A security guard saves lives at the Atlanta Olympics, then gets publicly pinned as the bomber. Eastwood tells it simply and Paul Walter Hauser is excellent. The tale is infuriating, and parts of the portrayal are disputed.
Watch it if you
- like true-story dramas about injustice
- enjoy quiet, character-based filmmaking
- want a standout central performance
Skip it if you
- want a tense thriller
- dislike stories where the system crushes a good man
Best for: Thoughtful night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Richard Jewell
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Richard Jewell thinks quick, works fast, and saves hundreds, perhaps thousands, of lives after a domestic terrorist plants several pipe bombs and they explode during a concert, only to be falsely suspected of the crime by sloppy FBI work and sensational media coverage.
Richard Jewell parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that Richard Jewell is an R-rated drama about a security guard falsely accused after a real terrorist bombing, dealing with media injustice.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — The film depicts a real domestic terrorist bombing and its aftermath, based on true events.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Richard Jewell
If you liked Richard Jewell, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Just Mercy (2019) — 87%: True story of a man wronged by a rigged system.
- Official Secrets (2019) — 83%: Real person risks everything against powerful institutions.
- Snowden (2016) — 79%: True story of one person versus the government.
- Gran Torino (2008) — 89%: Another Eastwood-directed, character-focused drama.
- Mystic River (2003) — 89%: Eastwood drama about suspicion, guilt and a community.
- Catch Me If You Can (2002) — 93%: True-story-inspired cat-and-mouse with an engaging lead.
Director
Cast
- Paul Walter Hauser as Richard Jewell
- Jon Hamm as Tom Shaw
- Kathy Bates as Bobi Jewell
- Sam Rockwell as Watson Bryant
- Olivia Wilde as Kathy Scruggs
- Nina Arianda as Nadya
- Ian Gomez as Agent Dan Bennet
- Wayne Duvall as Richard Rackleff
- Dylan Kussman as Bruce Hughes
- Mike Pniewski as Brandon Hamm
Richard Jewell FAQ
Is Richard Jewell worth watching?
Worth watching. A security guard saves lives at the Atlanta Olympics, then gets publicly pinned as the bomber. Eastwood tells it simply and Paul Walter Hauser is excellent. The tale is infuriating, and parts of the portrayal are disputed.
Where can I watch Richard Jewell?
In the US you can rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Richard Jewell OK for kids?
Richard Jewell is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Richard Jewell is an R-rated drama about a security guard falsely accused after a real terrorist bombing, dealing with media injustice.
What movies are like Richard Jewell?
If you liked Richard Jewell, try Just Mercy, Official Secrets, Snowden and Gran Torino.