The True Story That Inspired Gary Sinise’s Latest Project, BROTHERS AFTER WAR

Published: March 25, 2025

The True Story That Inspired Gary Sinise’s Latest Project, BROTHERS AFTER WAR

By Movieguide® Contributor

Actor and veteran advocate Gary Sinise recently produced a new war documentary, BROTHERS AFTER WAR, and hopes it helps veterans find purpose after leaving the military.

Sinise partnered with filmmaker Jake Rademacher to chronicle Rademacher’s siblings, Joe and Isaac, and other veterans transitions back into civilian life after their deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Rademacher’s first documentary, BROTHERS AT WAR, premiered in 2009. His brother Joe was nervous about its release.

“It was a very personal look at him, and all his buddies from sniper school were in the audience,” Rademacher told PEOPLE. However, the film “was a turning point. He realized, ‘They’re not looking at me with judgment. They’re looking at me with acknowledgment.'”

Sinise wanted to be part of BROTHERS AFTER WAR because of the raw insights it shared.

“I was so taken by it and moved by it,” he said. “It was a perfect visual look at military family life.”

While Joe was praised for his sacrifice and bravery on the battlefield, he was struggling and confessed to Rademacher that he, at one point, found himself in his garage with a gun to his head.

“His story is at the very heart of this film,” Rademacher said of Joe. “He really understood by opening up and telling me something he’s never told me before, it’s going to tell other veterans it’s okay to be vulnerable and talk. And we have found that talking about your experiences is how you start to heal from them.”

According to the 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention report, over 6,000 veterans die by suicide every year. Upon hearing Joe’s story, Sinise realized the documentary could be a beacon of hope for veterans struggling with their mental health.

“At the end of the film, you see he’s a happy family guy. We want veterans to see that. We want them moving forward. Process your war years, but don’t let them completely and totally define you. You can move on and have a happy life,” the executive producer said.

Movieguide®’s review of the film reads:

BROTHERS AFTER WAR is a documentary about the difficulties faced by members of the United States Military and their families when the veterans return home. The movie is a sequel to the 2009 documentary BROTHERS AT WAR. It follows Jake Rademacher who takes viewers on a journey interviewing his family members and other veterans and their families. The interviews shed light on the darkness faced by courageous soldiers before, during and after their time in the military. The movie discusses many tough issues, including the after-effects of violence, physical recovery, mental health, suicidal thoughts, parenthood, and other topics veterans and their families face.

BROTHERS AFTER WAR has some editing errors. However, the movie depicts many powerful, raw, emotional, often uplifting stories. BROTHERS AFTER WAR has a strong moral worldview. The director and others bring hope and healing to survivors, both veterans and families. BROTHERS AT WAR is a great watch, but it involves some serious topics. It also has a few strong obscenities and profanities, some bloody war violence, and references to overcoming substance abuse. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises strong caution.