The Believer

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The Believer

R,

2002,

1h 38m,

Drama

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81%

96 Reviews

Tomatometer

82%

25,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

96 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing -- an adage proven with shocking ramifications in Henry Bean's "The Believer." The film's stringent, intellectual approach to the topics of anti-Semitism and neo-fascism will move and astound viewers, a testament to this first-time director's important undertaking.

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Critics Consensus

Gosling commands the screen with a raw, electrifying performance.

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John Leonard

New York Magazine/Vulture

Feb 3, 2018

... stars an astonishing Ryan Gosling...

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Charlotte O'Sullivan

Independent (UK)

Nov 15, 2017

People have a right to make godless films. Bean's made one, and it's as brilliant as it is humane.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Oct 15, 2009

3/4

An exploration of what it means to be Jewish and what it means to hate - two separate subjects that happen to overlap in this case.

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Noah Berlatsky

Everything is Horrible (Substack)

Jul 31, 2026

Daniel is a stereotype of the self-hating Jew—but he’s also a particular kind of stereotypical fascist.

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James Berardinelli

ReelViews

Sep 29, 2023

2.5/4

Its strengths are counterbalanced by narrative weaknesses that pull the viewer out of the experience.

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Paul Kanieski

KSQD Community Radio

Jul 25, 2023

Gosling takes full advantage of The Believer’s compelling story to deliver an unforgettable psychological portrait of a man who is literally his own worst enemy.

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Hermione P

Sep 12, 2018

A lesser American history X about a boy with an identity crisis..

Rey R

Mar 9, 2018

This is a tense, gritty, disturbing film that stuck with me long after it ended.Excellent performances - in particular coming from Ryan Gosling and Billy Zane (kind of a surprise tbh).

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Abraham G

Jan 13, 2018

When a great actor is affirmed, I like to go back and look at his early work... and doing that, like in this case, it's easy to discover great films and parts that are the reason why he arrived where he arrived. This is no exception. Great performance, in a very good movie, with a strong final.

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Poe L

Jan 17, 2017

Very well paced and acted. The Believer tackles an idea of identity crisis when a young Neo-Nazi confronts his heritage and begins to question which side of the fence he belongs. Interesting film that will hold your attention

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Hermione G

Jan 8, 2017

know your enemy; powerful words

Hagrid W

Mar 14, 2010

Ryan Gosling's first starring film role as a Jewish Nazi is a peculiar one. Not an easy film to understand, but it does keep you engaged. I'm not quite sure how I feel about it. (First and only viewing - 4/27/2017)

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The Believer: Trailer 1

2:12

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Synopsis

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing -- an adage proven with shocking ramifications in Henry Bean's "The Believer." The film's stringent, intellectual approach to the topics of anti-Semitism and neo-fascism will move and astound viewers, a testament to this first-time director's important undertaking.

Director: Henry Bean
Producer: Christopher Roberts, Susan Hoffman
Screenwriter: Henry Bean
Distributor: IDP Distribution
Production Co: Fireworks Pictures
Rating: R (Some Sexual Content|Language|Strong Violence)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 17, 2002, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 17, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $406.0K
Runtime: 1h 38m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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