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Ryan Gosling, Summer Phoenix, Theresa Russell, Billy Zane, A.D. Miles ... see more see more... , Glenn Fitzgerald , Garret Dillahunt , Joel Garland , Heather Goldenhersh , Jordan Lage , Joshua Harto , Kris Eivers

In this powerful and disturbing drama, Danny Balint (Ryan Gosling) is a member of a gang of racist skinheads who espouses a vile but well-articulated philosophy of anti-Semitism. Danny also has a secr... read more read more...et -- he is a Jew, and was a top student in Hebrew school before he began to ask too many questions about the deeper implications of the teachings in the Torah and the Old Testament, leading to his expulsion. Angry and confused, Danny began to explore the philosophies of the neo-Nazi movement, which he soon came to embrace through a mixture of anger over the tragic history of the Jewish people, bitterness over his experiences in Hebrew school, and a loathing of himself. Danny soon becomes a key member of a skinhead sect led by Curtis (Billy Zane) and Lina (Theresa Russell), but while Curtis and Lina believe that the desire for cultural assimilation by many American Jews will lead to their self-destruction, Danny advocates a more direct and violent approach in dealing with the "enemy." Danny gains the admiration of his fellow skinheads for his intelligence and commitment, and wins the affection of Carla (Summer Phoenix), a group member with severe masochistic tendencies. But in time Danny's beliefs begin to shift once again, just as the truth about his background becomes known to his comrades. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival, The Believer was inspired by the true story of Daniel Burros, a member of the American Nazi Party who committed suicide in the 1960s when it was revealed by the press that he was born to a Jewish family. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

83% liked it

22,987 ratings

Critics

81% liked it

85 critics

R, 1 hr. 38 min.

Directed by: Henry Bean

Release Date: April 1, 2002

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DVD Release Date: April 22, 2003

Stats: 1,503 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,503)

  • MrMarakai
    October 18, 2011
    MrMarakai
    Three years previous to this, director Tony Kaye and star Edward Norton addressed white supremicist racism in "American History X". This shares similiar themes but focuses more on the hatred toward Jews. The real similarity between the films though are blisteringly powerful perfo... read morermances from both lead actors.
    Daniel Balint (Ryan Gosling) is a yeshiva-educated young Jewish man in New York who rejects his heritage and chooses to become a neo-Nazi skinhead. His passion is frighteningly real which leads to looming dangers for himself and his community.
    The comparisons are inevitable and although both powerful and controversial films in their own right, with "American History X" and "The Believer" it's the tour-de-force performances from Edward Norton and Ryan Gosling that really take centre stage. Gosling is no less effective than Norton's Oscar nominated turn and after seeing this, it's getting to the stage that it seems there's no limits to his acting range. He is this film. Don't get me wrong, writer/director Henry Bean crafts some strong and intelligent dialogue, but it's Gosling's delivery of anti-semitic vitriol that packs the real power. The problems it faces are having a less than par supporting cast and a made for television budget. The flaws show but it's still a savage examination of anti-semitism and one worthy of attention.
    A brave film anchored by a bold and brave performance. It's easy to see why this put Ryan Gosling on the map, he delivers a ferocious piece of work.
  • Tomassgringo
    November 29, 2010
    Tomassgringo
    Ryan shines as an actor. Without the cliches like the tight jawed, no make up wearing woman with the pulled back hair trying to control an activist movement and the whore that is capable of love; this movie had more potential that was lost. This was one of Ryan Gosling's earlie... read morest standout roles and knowing he started on "The Mickey Mouse Club" and has not had formal acting training shows an actor that chooses jobs that challenge him verses makes him money (although I am sure he has plenty money also).
  • 76Majikat
    July 7, 2010
    76Majikat
    The Believer is a tale of hypocrocy and confusion. Whilst Gosling plays his role well, the storyline (although worthy of telling) isn?t told in the best way possible.

    As there are many neo/nazi style films that have been told quite powerfully and realistically this doesn?t q... read moreuite measure up for me, but still makes an eye-opening watch.
  • LWOODS04
    October 1, 2009
    LWOODS04
    I really didn't want to watch this film. I am not a big fan of racist movies. But I watched it for the simple fact that Ryan Gosling is in it and I am an avid fan. So I wanted to see him become this role, and that he did.. There were deffinetly moments I cringed and found myself ... read morewanting to stop the movie. Ryan seems to throw himself into any and every character he is. I thought his performance was another outstanding one. I think his character is struggling to comes to terms with his relationship with God and the more he fights his Jewish beliefs the closer it brings him to them. I find his character to be very confused on who he wants to be. I am glad I decided to watch this movie and glad I didn't press stop. I think Ryan is such an amazing actor and really doesn't get enough credit. Watch this film..
  • pier007
    June 23, 2008
    pier007
    Ryan Gosling does a surprisingly good job here. The film is a little odd, especially the ending, but that doesn't hurt it too much. aggressively direct and thought provoking.
  • jabcdef
    November 27, 2007
    jabcdef
    Nonesense about jews - Give it a miss unless you are Jewish.
  • barrys
    July 28, 2006
    barrys
    what a movie, so well made, very very interesting.
  • MidnightMadwoman
    March 22, 2006
    MidnightMadwoman
    A really dark movie, but Young Hercules is great in this movie. Interesting on so many levels, this flick is real brain food.
  • Dannyrovira
    July 17, 2011
    Dannyrovira
    Ryan Gosling's searing star-making breakout performance dominates this truly disturbing drama, it concerns a young Jewish man, named Danny Balint whose reasoning is warped by his own self-hated, he has chosen to become a neo-Nazi skinhead who has no qualms about beating the hell... read more out of a Jewish kid or planting a bomb in a synagogue, Balint is increasingly becoming more and more twisted, his behavior comes from his own religious education, and his rebellion again the Torah, which has him caught in a web of moral contradictions. Gosling is nothing short of phenomenal, his conflicted antihero will have you absolutely riveted, his character's self-loathing and rage jumps right at you from the screen, it is a unforgettable acting tour-de-force. Astute direction by Harry Bean in his feature debut, and superlative supporting performances by Summer Phoenix, Theresa Russell, Billy Zane, A.D. Miles, Glenn Fitzgerald and Garret Dillahunt. A brilliant original screenplay by Harry Bean & Mark Jacobson, filmed on location in New York City, superbly photographed by cinematographer Jim Denault. This remarkably emotional and hard-hitting motion picture won the 2001 jury prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Highly Recommended.
  • michaelcorleone
    December 21, 2007
    michaelcorleone
    I'm disappointed. Ryan Gosling's explosively transfixing performance is the only great thing in this film. Its script is defined by consistent mediocrity interrupted by one or two scenes of genuine power. The dialogue is unconvincing and all of the actors surrounding Gosling feel... read more like they belong in daytime TV.

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Critic Reviews

Peter Howell
August 16, 2002
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

An important movie, a reminder of the power of film to move us and to make us examine our values. Full Review

Jennie Punter
August 16, 2002
Jennie Punter, Globe and Mail

[Gosling's] combination of explosive physical energy and convincing intelligence helps create a complex, unpredictable character. Full Review

Michael Wilmington
July 20, 2002
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune

One of the year's most thought-provoking, hard-hitting films, gutsily opening up a subject rarely done with this kind of all-out chutzpah. Full Review

Joe Baltake
July 19, 2002
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

It's too harsh to work as a piece of storytelling, but as an intellectual exercise -- an unpleasant debate that's been given the drive of a narrative and that's been acted out -- The Believer is nothi... Full Review

Carla Meyer
June 14, 2002
Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle

Blessed with a searing lead performance by Ryan Gosling (Murder by Numbers), the movie is powerful and provocative. It's also built on a faulty premise, one it follows into melodrama and silliness. Full Review

Roger Ebert
June 14, 2002
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Ryan Gosling ... is at 22 a powerful young actor. Full Review

Chris Vognar
June 13, 2002
Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News

It's a raw, deeply felt portrait of self-loathing turned inside out. Full Review

Glenn Lovell
June 13, 2002
Glenn Lovell, San Jose Mercury News

See it. Debate it. Remember it. Full Review

Susan Stark
June 7, 2002
Susan Stark, Detroit News

Bean's film concentrates almost entirely on the externals -- the bluster, the swagger -- when the story he is treating just begs for full, detailed, potentially explosive emotional and psychological s... Full Review

Terry Lawson
June 7, 2002
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press

Easily the most thoughtful fictional examination of the root causes of anti-Semitism ever seen on screen. Full Review

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  • Which actor or actress starred in Stay, The Believer, and The Notebook?  Answer »
  • Who sang I'm A Believer from the Shrek soundtrack?  Answer »
  • The Believer is a true story about a KKK member who is Jewish ?  Answer »
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