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The Believer

  • 2001
  • R
  • 1h 38m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
43K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,268
866
Ryan Gosling in The Believer (2001)
Home Video Trailer from Palm Pictures
Play trailer2:13
6 Videos
44 Photos
TragedyDrama

A young Jewish man develops a fiercely anti-Semitic philosophy. Based on the factual story of a K.K.K. member in the 1960s who was revealed to be Jewish by a New York Times reporter.A young Jewish man develops a fiercely anti-Semitic philosophy. Based on the factual story of a K.K.K. member in the 1960s who was revealed to be Jewish by a New York Times reporter.A young Jewish man develops a fiercely anti-Semitic philosophy. Based on the factual story of a K.K.K. member in the 1960s who was revealed to be Jewish by a New York Times reporter.

  • Director
    • Henry Bean
  • Writers
    • Henry Bean
    • Mark Jacobson
  • Stars
    • Ryan Gosling
    • Summer Phoenix
    • Peter Meadows
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    43K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    4,268
    866
    • Director
      • Henry Bean
    • Writers
      • Henry Bean
      • Mark Jacobson
    • Stars
      • Ryan Gosling
      • Summer Phoenix
      • Peter Meadows
    • 174User reviews
    • 97Critic reviews
    • 75Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 6 wins & 10 nominations total

    Videos6

    The Believer
    Trailer 2:13
    The Believer
    The Believer Scene: Coffee Talk
    Clip 2:27
    The Believer Scene: Coffee Talk
    The Believer Scene: Coffee Talk
    Clip 2:27
    The Believer Scene: Coffee Talk
    The Believer Scene: Quick Learner
    Clip 1:23
    The Believer Scene: Quick Learner
    The Believer Scene: Group
    Clip 2:25
    The Believer Scene: Group
    The Believer Scene: Jewish Nazi
    Clip 1:45
    The Believer Scene: Jewish Nazi
    The Believer Scene: Dressed To Kill
    Clip 0:58
    The Believer Scene: Dressed To Kill

    Photos44

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    Top cast46

    Edit
    Ryan Gosling
    Ryan Gosling
    • Danny Balint
    Summer Phoenix
    Summer Phoenix
    • Carla Moebius
    Peter Meadows
    • Orthodox Student
    Garret Dillahunt
    Garret Dillahunt
    • Billings
    Kris Eivers
    • Carleton
    Joel Marsh Garland
    Joel Marsh Garland
    • O.L.
    • (as Joel Garland)
    Billy Zane
    Billy Zane
    • Curtis Zampf
    Theresa Russell
    Theresa Russell
    • Lina Moebius
    Jack Drummond
    • Old Coot
    Sig Libowitz
    Sig Libowitz
    • Rav Zingesser
    James McCaffrey
    • Young Avi
    • (as James G. McCaffrey)
    Jacob Green
    • Young Danny
    Frank Winters
    • Young Stuart
    Ronald Guttman
    Ronald Guttman
    • Danny's Father
    Heather Goldenhersh
    Heather Goldenhersh
    • Linda
    A.D. Miles
    A.D. Miles
    • Guy Danielsen
    Tommy Nohilly
    Tommy Nohilly
    • Whit
    Joshua Harto
    Joshua Harto
    • Kyle
    • Director
      • Henry Bean
    • Writers
      • Henry Bean
      • Mark Jacobson
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews174

    7.142.8K
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    10

    Featured reviews

    10slimjimmed

    Extremely thought-provoking masterpiece!

    The Believer is the kind of film that has social relevance beyond the contents of the actual film. Highly-censored through corporate teamwork, The Believer was never picked up by a major distribution house because of its provocative subject matter. The film demands a re-examination of beliefs and a discussion. Isn't this the kind of provocative free-thinking that the medium is about? The Believer is one of the top 5 films i've seen in the last few years, in regards to disturbing consciousness. It is the kind of movie that can help us understand one another a little better. A MUST SEE!
    drosse67

    Powerful but not exploitative

    When I read a description of this film, I thought it would go overboard in the violence and "shock sequences." I was relieved and impressed that it left most of the violence to the imagination. The shock value comes from other places--the content, the dialogue. This is a very thought-provoking and smart movie, not at all preachy (and it easily could have been preachy). The acting is unforced and its story does not fall into the "American History X" trap: Its main character does not become an "all race loving" good guy. The protagonist in "The Believer" is a tortured soul, and his fate (although somewhat predictable) is fitting after the events in the film. This movie is another example that cable movies occasionally surpass theatrical movies in their subject matter and execution. Very well done.
    8Bry-2

    Ryan Gosling -- Superstar!

    I think I first saw Mr. Gosling in Murder by Numbers, in which he played half of a modern-day Leopold and Loeb murder team. In that good-but-not-great thriller, he did a fine job with an easy role: the smarmy manipulator who's convinced his Intellect is so superior to everyone else's that he has the right -- no, the obligation -- to kill those inferior to himself.

    In The Believer, Gosling plays the young fascist who really seems to believe the antisemitic vitrol he spews. His skinhead punk is just as scary, believable and *common* as Edward Norton's in American History X -- with the added layer of being from an Orthodox background. He has apparently convinced those around him that his fascination with all things Judaic is only an effort to "know his enemy thoroughly" -- nothing more.

    Gosling is nothing short of astounding in this role. He richly deserves all the honors bestowed upon him. If he continues to only get roles like Murder by Numbers, it will be a waste of a wonderful natural resource, kind of like strip mining in Yellowstone.
    8SnoopyStyle

    Brilliantly disturbing performance

    Danny Balint (Ryan Gosling) is angry. He questions his Jewish heritage and challenges his faith. The movie starts with him bullying a Jewish boy on the subway in New York. He joins a small group of fascists led by Curtis Zampf (Billy Zane) and Lina Moebius (Theresa Russell). Danny pushes for the group to start killing Jews. Carla Moebius (Summer Phoenix) finds him fascinating. Curtis doesn't want to go down that road again while Lina finds it appealing for their cause even if she doesn't believe in it. Reporter Guy Danielsen is writing about the right wing movement. Danny joins up with others as his star rises in the movement.

    This is a character study of anger and self-hatred. Ryan Gosling is brilliantly unbalanced as he challenges religious authority. He's also superficially very convincing in his insane rants. More than anything, he's very charismatic. It is a bone chilling performance.
    8hund2110

    Intelligent and Provocative

    I found myself alone in an small theater yesterday watching "The Believer". The absence of a crowd didn't have any impact what so ever on my experience with this film.

    Daniel Balint is a promising new right wing extremist who, with his radical ideas and eloquence, wins over the minds of a small group of neo-Nazis. At first he expresses that he wants Jews dead because, as he states, anti-semitism is a human instinct. But Daniel is a Jew himself. He denies his roots, But as the movie progresses he must come to terms with who he is. And that's not always easy.

    Ryan Gosling who plays Daniel is a frightening good actor, who almost manages to persuade the audience of his anti-semitic views. I really can't praise Ryan Gosling enough! He could be one of the great new actors to come. The interesting aspect of this movie is the mental struggle in Daniels mind whether he's a Nazi or a Jew. Or both? It's about finding out who you are. The films poses some very intelligent questions, and provokes at times, and this is the films force. This movie is brilliant! Go see it!

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    Related interests

    Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams in Manchester by the Sea (2016)
    Tragedy
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Due to the film's low budget, the crew could not afford permits and many scenes had to be shot quickly.
    • Goofs
      In the final synagogue segment, while the congregation is singing "Aveenu Malchenu," they keep changing keys from shot to shot, up a half-step and down a half-step and back up again, indicating a string of takes edited together.
    • Quotes

      Daniel Balint: Let me put it this way: Who wants to destroy the Jews? Who wants to grind their bones into the dust? And who wants to see them rise again? Wealthier, more successful, powerful, cultured, more intelligent than ever? Then you know what we have to do? We have to love 'em. What? Did he say ''Love the Jews''? It's strange, I know. But with these people, nothing is simple. The Jew says all he wants is to be left alone to study his Torah... do a little business... fornicate with his oversexed wife,but it's not true. He wants to be hated. He longs for our scorn. He clings to it, as if it were the very core of his being. If Hitler had not existed, the Jews would've invented him. For without such hatred, the so-called Chosen People would vanish from the earth. And this reveals a terrible truth and the crux of our problem as Nazis. The worse the Jews are treated, the stronger they become. Egyptian slavery made them a nation. The pogroms hardened them. Auschwitz gave birth to the state of Israel. Suffering, it seems, is the very crucible of their genius. So, if the Jews are,as one of their own has said... a people who will not take ''yes'' for an answer... let us say ''yes'' to them. They thrive on opposition. Let us cease to oppose them. The only way to annihilate this insidious people once and for all... is to open our arms, invite them into our homes... and embrace them. Only then will they vanish into assimilation, normality and love. But we cannot pretend. The Jew is nothing if not clever. He will see through hypocrisy and condescension. To destroy him, we must love him sincerely. If the Jews are strengthened by hate, wouldn't this... destruction that you speak of, whether it's by love or any other means... wouldn't that make them more powerful than they are already? Yes. lnfinitely more. They would become as God. It's the Jews' destiny to be annihilated so they can be deified. Jesus understood this perfectly. And look what was accomplished there with the death of just one enlightened Jew. Imagine what would happen if we killed them all."

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: The Million Dollar Hotel/The Invisible Circus/Head Over Heels (2001)

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    FAQ20

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 23, 2001 (Russia)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Hebrew
    • Also known as
      • El creyente
    • Filming locations
      • New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Fuller Films
      • Seven Arts Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $416,925
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $26,263
      • May 19, 2002
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,309,316
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 38m(98 min)
    • Color
      • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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