The Believer (2001)

81% of critics liked it
(85 reviews)
83% of users liked it
(22,987 ratings)

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 secret -- he is a Jew, and was a top student in Hebrew school before he began to ask too many questions… More 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 secret -- 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

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: Henry Bean
Written By: Henry Bean
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Apr 1, 2002 Wide
On DVD: Apr 22, 2003
Studio: IDP Distribution

Critic Reviews

Peter Howell, Toronto Star
An important movie, a reminder of the power of film to move us and to make us examine our values.
Jennie Punter, Globe and Mail
[Gosling's] combination of explosive physical energy and convincing intelligence helps create a complex, unpredictable character.
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.
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 nothing less than a provocative piece of work.
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.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Ryan Gosling ... is at 22 a powerful young actor.
Jordan Hiller, Bangitout.com
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 naiveté, such open hopeful hearts throughout our early education.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
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.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Em uma performance absolutamente brilhante, o jovem Ryan Gosling cria um personagem que, mesmo moralmente desprezível, fascina por seu conflito interior.
Brent Simon, Entertainment Today
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.
John Beifuss, Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
Gosling projects a feral intelligence that is riveting...
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It made for an emotionally hair-pulling ride, without benefit of much intellectual give and take.
Harry Guerin, RTE Interactive (Dublin, Ireland)
An uncomfortable experience, but one as brave and challenging as you could possibly expect these days from American cinema.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
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.
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews
this polarizing film deserves a wider audience

Read all 15 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Mark W

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… More
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 performances 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.
Thomas J

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… More
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 earliest 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).
Lady D

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 quite… More
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 quite measure up for me, but still makes an eye-opening watch.
♥˩ƳИИ &

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… More
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 wanting 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..
Pierluigi P

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.
A B

Nonesense about jews - Give it a miss unless you are Jewish.
Jose Z

what a movie, so well made, very very interesting.
Emily A

A really dark movie, but Young Hercules is great in this movie. Interesting on so many levels, this flick is real brain food.
Danny R

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… More
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 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.
Mike T

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… More
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 like they belong in daytime TV.
Sarah P

I thought it was really interesting, Ryan Gosling was great as usual. It raises many questions about religion and I liked the ending a lot.
Leanna E

I watched this movie when it was first released, and found it tough going. Its very good, but difficult to watch. A powerful performance from Ryan Gosling made me check out most of his movies since then.
FanGirl B

Very powerful film with a powerhouse performance by Gosling. This is not an easy film to watch but it's a great film. If you liked American History X you have to see this film.