The first half follows a group of Marine recruits undergoing brutal training at Parris Island under the relentless Gunnery Sergeant Hartman (R. Lee Ermey). His harsh methods break and mold the recruits, particularly focusing on the naive but competent Joker (Matthew Modine) and the mentally unstable Private Pyle (Vincent D’Onofrio). Hartman’s relentless abuse drives Pyle to insanity, culminating in a shocking murder-suicide.

The second half shifts to Vietnam, where Joker, now a military journalist, is stationed in Da Nang. He reunites with fellow Marine, Rafterman, and joins a combat unit led by Animal Mother (Adam Baldwin). As they navigate the war’s chaos, Joker’s sarcastic persona is tested when his unit engages in a deadly battle in Hue City against a lone but deadly Viet Cong sniper. The climactic moment forces Joker to confront the brutal reality of war, marking his loss of innocence.

Kubrick’s meticulous direction, Ermey’s unforgettable performance, and the film’s haunting exploration of war’s dehumanizing effects make Full Metal Jacket a landmark war movie. Its themes of identity, psychological warfare, and the cost of violence continue to resonate, cementing it as a cinematic masterpiece.