The Dissident
The Dissident

Movie spotlight

The Dissident

2020
Movie
119 min
English

When Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi disappears after entering Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul, his fiancée and dissidents around the world are left to piece together the clues to a brutal murder and expose a global cover up perpetrated by the very country he loved.

Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes94%
Metacritic75/100
Google Users86%
Director: Bryan FogelGenres: Documentary, Crime, Thriller

Plot Summary

This documentary uncovers the assassination of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. It meticulously pieces together evidence from digital forensics, witness testimonies, and international investigations to expose the intricate details of the operation and the powerful forces behind it. The film highlights the immense risks faced by dissidents and journalists who challenge authoritarian regimes.

Critical Reception

The Dissident received widespread critical acclaim for its gripping investigation, compelling storytelling, and urgent message about freedom of the press and government accountability. Critics lauded its thorough research and the bravery of its subjects, though some noted its bleak outlook on the ability to bring perpetrators to justice.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its meticulous investigation and unflinching portrayal of a horrific event.

  • Lauded for its importance in highlighting the dangers faced by journalists and dissidents.

  • Commended for its suspenseful narrative, despite the grim subject matter.

Google audience: Google users generally found 'The Dissident' to be a powerful and important documentary, with many commending its thorough investigation and the courage of those involved in exposing the truth. Audiences appreciated its examination of geopolitical issues and its strong stance on freedom of speech, though some found the subject matter deeply disturbing.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Documentary. Also screened at the Sundance Film Festival and the Berlin International Film Festival.

Fun Fact

Director Bryan Fogel, who previously directed the Oscar-winning documentary 'Icarus,' stated that he received threats and experienced surveillance while making 'The Dissident,' underscoring the sensitive nature of the film's subject matter.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
rsanek

rsanek

Really well-done film. I saw the news stories but watching this does a good job of making you pause and realize how absolutely crazy it is that a state can just decide to straight murder somebody, and it's not even on their own soil. I agre...

Louisa Moore - Screen Zealots

Louisa Moore - S...

The grisly murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and the subsequent cover-up by the Saudi government is explored in “The Dissident,” a complex and detailed documentary from director Brya...