True Believer

Play trailer

True Believer

R,

1989,

1h 43m,

Crime/

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

95%

20 Reviews

Tomatometer

63%

2,500+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

20 Reviews

63%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Jaded lawyer Eddie Dodd (James Woods), a well-regarded activist in the 1960s whose moment has long passed, now smokes marijuana and defends drug dealers who pay in cash. Recent law graduate Roger Baron (Robert Downey Jr.) becomes Dodd's apprentice, hoping to learn from him. When an agitated mother walks in insisting her son is innocent of the murder he was jailed for eight years ago, idealistic Roger prods Eddie to take the case, and the pair uncovers a huge conspiracy that endangers them both.

Critics Consensus

A compelling mystery, social themes, and powerful performances from a pair of well-matched leads make True Believer a legal thriller that definitely passes the bar.

Read Critics Reviews

Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

Apr 16, 2009

Woods' angry energy is clarifying as well as terrifying, and when he unleashes it (usually without warning), the effect is to focus our attention where it belongs, not on a suspense story but on the mysteries of human behavior.

Go to Full Review

Hal Hinson

Washington Post

Jan 1, 2000

Ruben relies too heavily on Woods' whirring turbines to power his scenes.

Go to Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Jan 1, 2000

3/4

When I see Woods on the screen in the first shot of a movie I sort of smile to myself because I know that something strange and offbeat and maybe even inspired is about to happen.

Go to Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Feb 23, 2023

3/4

...a fairly standard legal procedural that’s elevated by its raft of agreeable, engaging attributes...

Go to Full Review

Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

Jul 16, 2008

4/5

Jake Euker

F5 (Wichita, KS)

Mar 9, 2006

3/5

Read all reviews

Finn L

Sep 1, 2017

James Woods is Just Wonderful. Early Pretty Boy Downey and I adore Margaret Colin, a highly under-rated actress. Had already fell in love with her in As The World Turns.

See more

George S

Jul 15, 2017

James Woods, Robert Downey Jr. Drug lawyer help true cause

Theodore M

Jan 10, 2017

It started off a little slow, but turned into a really captivating legal thriller. Solid acting from James Woods and Robert Downey Jr. (First and only viewing - 1/8/2017)

See more

Read all reviews

Joseph Ruben

Director

James Woods

Eddie Dodd

Robert Downey Jr.

Roger Baron

Yuji Okumoto

Shu Kai Kim

Margaret Colin

Kitty Greer

Kurtwood Smith

Robert Reynard

This World, Then the Fireworks

38%

42%

This World, Then the Fireworks

Watchlist

The King of Marvin Gardens

76%

58%

The King of Marvin Gardens

Watchlist

Pups

90%

73%

Pups

Watchlist

Welcome to Sarajevo

77%

74%

Welcome to Sarajevo

Watchlist

The Underneath

63%

39%

The Underneath

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Jaded lawyer Eddie Dodd (James Woods), a well-regarded activist in the 1960s whose moment has long passed, now smokes marijuana and defends drug dealers who pay in cash. Recent law graduate Roger Baron (Robert Downey Jr.) becomes Dodd's apprentice, hoping to learn from him. When an agitated mother walks in insisting her son is innocent of the murder he was jailed for eight years ago, idealistic Roger prods Eddie to take the case, and the pair uncovers a huge conspiracy that endangers them both.

Director: Joseph Ruben
Producer: Walter F. Parkes, Lawrence Lasker
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 17, 1989, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $8.7M
Runtime: 1h 43m
Sound Mix: Surround

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings