Twelve Strong
Twelve Strong is a 2018 American war drama film that tells the gripping true story of the first U.S. Special Forces team deployed to Afghanistan after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Directed by Nicolai Fuglsig and based on the non-fiction book Horse Soldiers by Doug Stanton, the film stars Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, Michael Peña, and Navid Negahban.
The story centers on Captain Mitch Nelson (played by Hemsworth), who volunteers to lead a team of 12 Green Berets into Afghanistan as part of Task Force Dagger. Their mission: to link up with the Northern Alliance and coordinate an offensive against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. Facing rugged terrain, vastly outnumbered forces, and cultural barriers, the soldiers must adapt quickly. In a throwback to ancient warfare, many of them ride horses into battle—earning the nickname “Horse Soldiers.”
The film highlights themes of courage, brotherhood, and resilience. Despite being technologically outgunned, the team relies on strategy, trust, and sheer willpower to succeed. The relationship between Nelson and General Abdul Rashid Dostum (played powerfully by Navid Negahban) is central to the story, showing how mutual respect between different cultures can lead to powerful alliances.
Visually, Twelve Strong delivers intense battle sequences and breathtaking landscapes. The action is grounded in realism, with a focus on the chaos and unpredictability of modern warfare. While the film honors the bravery of the U.S. soldiers, it also offers glimpses into the complexity of the Afghan conflict, avoiding oversimplified narratives.
Critically, the film received mixed to positive reviews. While praised for its performances, especially by Hemsworth and Negahban, some critics noted that it occasionally leans on war-movie tropes. However, its respectful tone and gripping true-story foundation make it a compelling watch.
Twelve Strong is more than just a war movie—it’s a tribute to the real-life heroes who undertook a nearly impossible mission and helped change the course of history in the early days of America’s War on Terror
