“Cherry” (Apple TV )

Harsh screen version of Nico Walker’s semi-autobiographical 2018 novel, set primarily in the early 2000s, follows the declining fortunes of a part-time college student (Tom Holland) from a hardscrabble background who, on the rebound from an emotionally turbulent romance (with Ciara Bravo), enlists as an Army medic. The couple reunite and marry just before he departs for service in Iraq, but he returns home traumatized and together the pair fall into drug addiction, a habit he eventually finances by robbing banks. Brothers Anthony and Joe Russo direct an overlong, fitfully interesting drama from a script by their sister, Angela Russo-Otstot, and Jessica Goldberg that’s too morbidly fascinated by the details of its protagonist’s downward spiral to serve as the basis for an effective cautionary tale. Combat violence with brief but extreme gore, gruesome images, a narcotics theme, a graphic depiction of masturbation, premarital relationships with scenes of sensuality, several uses of profanity, a couple of milder oaths, relentless rough and crude language. The Catholic News Service classification is L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.