Decorated Iraq war hero Sgt. Brandon King (Ryan Phillippe) makes a celebrated return to his small Texas hometown following his tour of duty. Brandon tries to resume the life he left behind with the help and support of his family and his best friend, Steve Shriver (Channing Tatum), who served with him in Iraq. Alongside their war-time buddies, Brandon and Steve try to make peace with civilian life. Then, against Brandon's will, the Army orders him back to duty in Iraq. This upends Brandon's entire world. The conflict into which he is thrown tests everything he believes in: the bond of family, the loyalty of friendship, the limits of love, and the value of honor.

Definition: stop-loss
- US military requirement for soldiers to remain in service beyond their normal discharge date.
- Read more about the Stop-Loss Policy

• Two days after completing The Golden Age, Abbie flew to Texas to co-star in Stop Loss.

• Awards: 3 wins & 3 nominations. (view)

• "The interesting thing about my character is the journey. From being someone who supports the boys at war, then realising the depth of the war."

• "I had to say yes to Stop-Loss. When the planes hit the World Trade Center on 9/11, it was late at night in Australia. I remember saying to my brother, 'We haven't seen a big war in our lifetime,' and I felt in that moment like everything changed. As soon as the towers went down, even before the fighting started, I felt that a war had begun."

• "It's about these guys who were inspired by what happened on 9/11 and wanted to protect their country. But within months, they don't understand why they are fighting and they want out. It's easy to forget who is fighting this war. It's easy to forget that there is a war going on at all."

• "They won't be watching me. I'll take you."

• "What the hell's happening to these guys?"

• "Give me the gun, or I'm gonna leave you here right now. I swear. I swear I ain't kidding!"

• "I've been knowing you since third grade. I think we've got both kinds of danger here."

• "We don't call you and you re-enlist? That's bullshit! And you know it."

• Michelle: "And when are we getting married, Steve?"
Steve: "When I get back from my next tour."
Michelle: "When you get back? You've been saying that to me for five fucking years. It's clear you've made your decision."

• Michelle: "Tequila."
Bartender: "You know, it's happy hour. You can get two for one."
Michelle: "Well, lucky me. Double, double."

• "The way I see it, Steve's married to the Army. It's everything to him."

• "I can't go another year without having him touch my face. I can't be a military wife. I just ain't that strong."

• "Shut up and drink. We're both fucked."

• Brandon King: "With the shortage of guys and no draft, they're shipping back soldiers who's supposed to be gettin' out."

• Brandon King: "I'm not going back. I'm fightin' this thing."

• Roy King: "Listen to me, if you're spooked, it's OK. There's no shame in that."
Brandon King: "I ain't scared, I'm pissed off!"

• "Right after Abbie arrived from Australia, we took a crash course in Texas girls. I took her to the busiest dance hall in Austin to meet some local Texans married to or dating soldiers. Before long, I saw her across the room in a crowd of cowboy boots, short skirts, and makeup, two-stepping in a line dance. She had a cowboy hat on, too."
- Kimberly Pierce (Stop-Loss director)

From Critics

• "Abbie Cornish, an Australian actor who is arguably best known for her (alleged) off-screen dalliance with Phillippe, gives her character (Shriver’s girlfriend Michele) a solidity and emotional range rarely seen in the military wife/girlfriend role."
- Jessica Reaves, Chicago Tribune