By October, Lionsgate Films released their third film for the fall, "American Sniper," and Link, who starred in the movie, could only pause his training to join the press tour.
At the outset, "American Sniper" was shown in four theaters in New York and Los Angeles, earning $2.51 million at the box office over two consecutive weeks, with an astonishing average of $44,800 per theater, making it the highest-grossing limited release film of the year.
The film received positive reviews, with many professional critics acknowledging Link's performance. He was praised for not only portraying the personality and habits of an ace sniper but also the emotions of a killer, creating a powerful and influential character that is considered one of the most iconic screen images of the year.
Variety said his acting surpassed his performance in last year's "Gone Girl," suggesting he has a strong chance to be nominated for an Oscar next year for this role.
