IFC Films has released the U.S. trailer for Gattaca and Lord of War writer/director Andrew Niccol’s upcoming drama Good Kill. As with all of Niccol’s movies (like The Truman Show, which he wrote), the film begins with an utterly fascinating premise, and as with some of Niccol’s films (like In Time), it doesn’t fully come together in the end. I caught the pic at TIFF and while the movie may not be entirely satisfying as a whole, it’s still an incredibly fascinating look at a very timely issue, and it boasts as swell lead performance by Ethan Hawke.

Hawke plays an Air Force pilot who now fights the Taliban from the comfort of an air-conditioned bunker in Las Vegas, operating at the forefront of our nation’s drone warfare. His desire to get back into the cockpit of a real plane and moral ambiguity of some of his actions take a toll on his psyche, as he struggles to come to terms with his actions.

The new U.S. trailer offers a closer look at Niccol’s film, providing a nice overview of the story and tone overall. As I said, it’s a deeply fascinating movie, and it covers a lot of ground in terms of drone warfare, but as a narrative it falls somewhat short.

Watch the new Good Kill trailer below, and click here to read Matt’s review. The film also stars January Jones, Bruce Greenwood, Jake Abel, and Zoe Kravitz. Good Kill opens in theaters on May 15th.

Click over to Apple to watch in HD.

Here’s the official synopsis for Good Kill:

In the shadowy world of drone warfare, combat unfolds like a video game–only with real lives at stake. After six tours of duty, Air Force pilot Tom Egan (Ethan Hawke) now fights the Taliban from an air-conditioned bunker in the Nevada desert. But as he yearns to get back in the cockpit of a real plane and becomes increasingly troubled by the collateral damage he causes each time he pushes a button, Egan’s nerves—and his relationship with his wife (Mad Men's January Jones)—begin to unravel. Andrew Niccol (Gattaca, Lord of War) directs this riveting insider’s view of 21st-century warfare, in which operatives fight unseen enemies from half a world away.

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