“Canadian, Sniper” (2024) – A Frozen Silence in the Mind of a Soldier

In the cold, unyielding winter of Quebec’s rural landscape, a former Canadian sniper returns—not to war, but to something far more treacherous: peace.

Canadian, Sniper, the 2024 independent psychological drama from writer-director Michel Kandinsky, is not the film you might expect from its title. There are no explosive firefights or high-adrenaline chases through enemy lines. Instead, the film offers something colder, quieter, and infinitely more disturbing: a slow descent into the mental fallout of war.

François Arnaud delivers a startlingly restrained performance as the unnamed sniper, a man home from Afghanistan with no medals, no welcome, and no purpose. Haunted by memories that feel more vivid than reality, he begins to unravel. A mysterious disappearance—his father’s—pulls him into a mental spiral, where grief, guilt, and paranoia blur the borders of truth.

Shot with minimalist precision by cinematographer Duraid Munajim, the film’s barren winter landscape becomes a metaphor for the soldier’s inner world: vast, desolate, and frozen in trauma. There is little dialogue, and even less action. But in that silence lies the film’s true voice.

Though made on a modest budget estimated at just under $500,000 CAD, Canadian, Sniper manages to convey more psychological weight than many war epics. Kandinsky’s intimate storytelling and quiet pacing won’t be for everyone, but for those attuned to the scars left after battle, it cuts deep.

Highlighted Reviews from IMDb Users

“A strange dramatic thriller trying so hard to be a character study on loneliness, alienation and PTSD… it relies on long, silent sequences that go on forever…”
— Rodrigo_Amaro.

“The film immerses us in his world – his insomnia, flashbacks, and difficulty connecting with loved ones – and forces us to confront the often-hidden cost of war.”
— agatalemieux.

“Rewards Patience… its slow burn and minimalist approach may leave some viewers feeling more disconnected than moved.”
— wogopak.

Indeed, the film’s reception has been mixed. On IMDb, it currently holds a 3.3/10 rating, reflecting frustration from mainstream viewers hoping for action or suspense. But in film circles, particularly at festivals in Arizona, Montreal, and Rotterdam, Canadian, Sniper has earned quiet respect as a work of restrained, deliberate storytelling.

More than anything, this is a film that asks you to sit with discomfort. To watch a man try—and fail—to come home. It’s not patriotic. It’s not heroic. It’s just brutally human.

Canadian, Sniper may never make waves at the box office. But in its small, unflinching way, it brings attention to the silent epidemic of post-war trauma—a subject rarely explored with such frigid honesty.

*You can watch the full movie Canadian, Sniper (2024) legally on the following platforms:

• Tubi – Available to stream for free with ads. The film is accessible on multiple devices and includes English subtitles.

• Amazon Prime Video – Available to rent (around $2.99 USD) or purchase permanently (around $9.99 USD) in HD quality.