When Megan Leavey joined the Marines, she was looking for a fresh start. Things at home weren’t going well — she couldn’t keep a job, and her best friend had just died. After joining the Marines, though, she wasn’t faring much better — until she ended up in the K9 unit. There, she met a snarling, growling dog named Rex — and he scared her … a lot. But over time, and throughout their tours in Iraq, they became an inseparable, life-saving duo.
Based on a true story, the 2017 film Megan Leavey is the journey of an unlikely pair and how they managed to stay together against all odds. From director Gabriela Cowperthwaite (Blackfish) — with a screenplay by Pamela Gray (Conviction), Annie Mumolo (Bridesmaids), and Tim Lovestedt (Thunder Force) — the military drama stars Kate Mara, Ramón Rodríguez, and Tom Felton.
Edie Falco and Kate Mara in Megan Leavey
Hoping for a fresh start after the loss of her best friend, Megan Leavey (Mara) joins the Marines. While stationed in San Diego, her rebelliousness soon lands her under fire. Her punishment? Joining the K9 unit to clean up some kennels. There, Megan meets Rex — an aggressive bomb-sniffing dog with some problems of his own — and becomes Rex’s handler. From their training days to their deployments in Iraq, the two form a lifelong bond and save countless lives along the way. But their destiny together is jeopardized when the pair are injured by an explosive device, and Megan must fight to keep Rex by her side.
No, it’s not based on a book.
Kate Mara in Megan Leavey
Yes. The film tells the true story of Cpl. Megan Leavey and Rex, the dog she bonded with while serving in the Marines. The real Leavey, now a United States Marine Corps veteran, makes a cameo in the film as a drill instructor.
The film takes place on Parris Island, South Carolina, in San Diego County, California, and across Iraq.
Want more dog-friendly films? Check out this guide to find your faves.
