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.

Go to Full Review

James Berardinelli ReelViews Sep 29, 2023 2.5/4

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

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

B. Ruby Rich The Nation Feb 25, 2020

A traditional but well-made examination of one Danny Balint, a disgruntled yeshiva student turned skinhead thug.

Go to Full Review

John Leonard New York Magazine/Vulture Feb 3, 2018

... stars an astonishing Ryan Gosling...

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

Philip French Observer (UK) Jan 1, 2013

Gosling's Danny is frighteningly believable, in his mad hatreds and when gradually confronting inner doubts.

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

Jordan Hiller Bangitout.com Sep 27, 2006 2.5/4

The underlying premise of The Believer is simple and understandable to any one of us who have grown indifferent to many of the teachings we accepted with such naivet, such open hopeful hearts throughout our early education.

Go to Full Review

Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Apr 6, 2006 A-

Loosely based on Daniel Burros (a Nazi who killed himself when the NY Times revealed his Jewishness), the film offers a stimulating meditation on the inescapable impact of religion and burden of history on personal identities.

Go to Full Review

Pablo Villaça Cinema em Cena Jun 7, 2004 4/5

Em uma performance absolutamente brilhante, o jovem Ryan Gosling cria um personagem que, mesmo moralmente desprezvel, fascina por seu conflito interior.

Go to Full Review

Brent Simon Entertainment Today Jul 18, 2003 C-

The underdevloped Believer has at its core a performance of searing and genuine intensity, yet it also regrettably handles the psychological turmoil of its antagonistic protagonist with kid gloves.

Go to Full Review

John Beifuss Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) Jul 3, 2003

Gosling projects a feral intelligence that is riveting...

Go to Full Review

Jennifer D. Wesley PopMatters Jul 2, 2003

It's an explosive and disturbing film that forces the audience to ask difficult questions about the nature of belief.

Go to Full Review

Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Jun 29, 2003 C+

It made for an emotionally hair-pulling ride, without benefit of much intellectual give and take.

Go to Full Review

Harry Guerin RTÉ (Ireland) Apr 29, 2003 4/5

An uncomfortable experience, but one as brave and challenging as you could possibly expect these days from American cinema.

Go to Full Review

Scott Weinberg eFilmCritic.com Apr 27, 2003 2.5/5

The Believer is packed to the gills with various speeches and lectures and theological bantering. Much of it ends with someone getting a baseball bat to the head.

Go to Full Review