Can the U.S. military weaponize psychic powers? A satirical look at the New Earth Army.
In short: The Men Who Stare at Goats explores the bizarre, true-ish history of a U.S. military unit training psychic spies. Directed by Grant Heslov and starring George Clooney, the film blends war-time reality with the absurd, following soldiers who attempt to master invisibility, remote viewing, and the art of walking through walls.
Released in 2009, the film is loosely based on Jon Ronson’s 2004 book. It centers on the fictionalized New Earth Army, a unit inspired by real-life figures like Jim Channon, who authored an operations manual for a 'First Earth Battalion.' The narrative follows Lyn Cassady, a psychic soldier played by George Clooney, who claims his unit was formed in 1980 under the guidance of Bill Django—a character based on Channon. Django’s journey began after a 1972 incident in Vietnam, leading him to explore New Age movements across California before returning to Fort Bragg to implement his unconventional training.
The film’s plot highlights a rivalry between Cassady and Larry Hooper, representing the opposing philosophies of the unit. While Cassady seeks to use these skills for peaceful conflict resolution, Hooper pushes for the 'dark side' of military application, including cruel experiments on captured locals and goats. The story reaches its peak when the protagonists, disillusioned by the unit's descent into unethical practices, attempt to dismantle the operation by spiking a private research firm's food supply with LSD.
While the film is a work of fiction, it draws heavily from real-world claims regarding military interest in parapsychology. The production itself was not without controversy; producer John Sergeant, who worked on the 2004 documentary Crazy Rulers of the World, claimed he was denied proper credit for the research that inspired the project. Despite mixed critical reception—holding a 51% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes—the film remains a notable exploration of the intersection between military ambition and the fringes of human belief.
The film’s legacy is tied to its blend of satire and genuine historical oddity. It serves as a reminder of the strange, often forgotten experiments conducted during the Cold War era. By focusing on characters like Cassady and Django, the film invites viewers to question the limits of reality, even if the filmmakers explicitly warn audiences not to attempt walking through solid walls at home.
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