Powder Keg (2001): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2001, Powder Keg is an action and war film directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, running about 14 minutes.

What it’s about. The Driver is drafted by the UN to rescue a wounded war photographer named Harvey Jacobs from out of hostile territory. While they are leaving Jacobs tells the Driver about the horrors he saw as a photographer, but he regrets his inability to help war victims. Jacobs answers the driver curiosity about why he is a photographer by saying how his mother taught him to see. He gives the Driver the film needed for a New York Times story and also his dog tags to give to his mother. When they reach the border, they are confronted by a guard who begins to draw arms as Jacobs begins taking pictures, trying to get himself killed. The Driver drives through a hail of gunfire to the border, but finds Jacobs killed by a bullet through the seat. The Driver arrives in America to visit Jacobs' mother and share the news of him winning the Pulitzer prize and hand over the dog tags, only to discover that she is blind.

Who’s in it. Powder Keg stars Clive Owen as The Driver, Stellan Skarsgård as Harvey Jacobs, Lois Smith as Mother and Javier Zaragoza as Paramilitary 1, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 7.0/10, Powder Keg has been warmly received by audiences.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Powder Keg page.

If you liked it. Fans of Powder Keg tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Inception and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.