The recent film American Sniper has broken records at the box office and has proven to be a favorite among many in the U.S. The film stars Bradley Cooper, playing U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, the most lethal sniper in American history. This story, at a glance, seems like a tribute to a celebrated war veteran, as we’ve seen many times before, but things aren’t as simple as they appear. American Sniper actually misguides, even lies, about the sniper Chris Kyle.

Kyle is portrayed in the movie as being tortured with memories of his service overseas. Many praise the movie as portraying the struggles veterans face when they return from war. American Sniper does indeed depict the guilt, horrors and PTSD that haunt veterans, but this is not the particular case with Kyle. In his book, he never mentions his struggle with such thoughts. Actually, quite the opposite.

In his book, Kyle describes the people he fought as “savage” and “despicable.” He explains, “I only wish I had killed more,” and “I loved what I did. I still do. If circumstances were different – if my family didn’t need me – I’d be back in a heartbeat. I’m not lying or exaggerating to say it was fun. I had the time of my life being a SEAL.” He recounts a conversation with a military investigator in his book saying, “I don’t shoot people with Korans. I’d like to, but I don’t.” Once he explained, laughing, to Conan O’Brien about accidentally shooting an Iraqi. Post-war Kyle claimed he killed 30 men in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and claimed he killed 2 men who tried to steal his car in Texas. In the credits there are “Carjacker #1 and #2” which means Director Clint Eastwood may have filmed the scene, but decided to pull it, because it shows the alternate side of Kyle that doesn’t fit with the hero narrative of the film.

Simply put, Chris Kyle is an idealized hero in American Sniper, nothing close to his actual character. Yes, Kyle played by Bradley Cooper has flaws, but wouldn’t we all agree, they are noble ones? He feels guilty and conflicted being home from the war. This doesn’t sound anything like the Kyle who wrote the book American Sniper. Eastwood fails to mention that Kyle thought killing people was “fun” and accidentally killing someone is a silly joke worth laughing at. I do not think this is right, even in the context of war. War does not erase morals, and make killing the right thing to do regardless of the situation. War does not condone prejudice, and assuming anyone of Muslim faith is a foe, and deserves to die.

It is unsettling to think that violence is so normalized, even celebrated. I am grateful to all the servicemen and women that have given their lives to protect me. But, I am hesitant about war. Does this do more harm than good? So many veterans are physically or mentally broken when they return from duty. And we don’t have the proper resources to help them heal, or it is impossible to heal the mental scars from the atrocities of war. Is it right to kill, ever? Should we reward those who kill? All religions of the world say killing humans is wrong, why have we created an exception? There are perilous consequences when we blur the line between right and wrong. Are we certain we are fighting wars for right reasons, to protect democracy? The war in Iraq was essentially fabricated, as there were no Weapons of Mass Destruction. We may be fighting wars for reasons we don’t know, like contractors making a few million dollars off producing goods for the military. Lockheed Martin, for example, spent $12.7 million on lobbying, and made $71 million in government contracts with the military. The more wars, the more money they make. Of course they’re going to lobby and try and coerce government officials to deploy troops.

There is something awry in the American Military culture today. American Sniper only perpetuates this, and misrepresents the sniper Chris Kyle. Perhaps it’s time to step back and think critically about war, morality, and if doing evil in the name of good is good at all.