Snowden

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2:25

Snowden

R

2016

2h 14m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

Biography

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

61%

Tomatometer

261 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Disillusioned with the intelligence community, top contractor Edward Snowden (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) leaves his job at the National Security Agency. He now knows that a virtual mountain of data is being assembled to track all forms of digital communication -- not just from foreign governments and terrorist groups, but from ordinary Americans. When Snowden decides to leak this classified information, he becomes a traitor to some, a hero to others and a fugitive from the law.

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Critics Consensus

Snowden boasts a thrilling fact-based tale and a solid lead performance from Joseph Gordon-Levitt, even if director Oliver Stone saps the story of some of its impact by playing it safe.

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Elena Lazic

Little White Lies

Yet although Gordon-Levitt presence helps to keep us invested in the story, you'll be left wondering how this dull, overlong film might have turned out in the hands of a less bombastic filmmaker.

Mar 21, 2018

Full Review

K. Austin Collins

The Ringer

But what [Snowden] mostly adds up to is a strange, disappointing movie.

Aug 10, 2017

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

Snowden's intellect is most effectively conveyed in Gordon-Levitt's eyes - watchful, sober and clouded by doubt, they are a window into his impossible ethical quandary.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 11, 2016

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

The volume of the pedestal-placing and monument-building is terribly effusive.

Rated: 2/5

Jul 31, 2025

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Zach Pope

Zach Pope Reviews

Oliver Stone's best movie in years

Aug 7, 2023

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Stone brings to light that our disturbed and anxious feelings about cyber-scrutiny are not paranoia, because that word suggests the menace isn't real.

Rated: 3.5/4

Apr 11, 2022

Full Review

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Audience Member

I loved the movie, he exposed the people...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/24/25

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A.L.Jude P

The misrepresentation of Edward Snowden detracts from the essence of the real story.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/22/25

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Phillip D

Compelling story. Interesting information & perspective. Lots of great cast & acting. Stone did a great job putting this together and executing.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/05/25

Full Review

Richard M

Really slow. Initially thought it was spy or action movie, but it's just mostly informational/drama/true story. The end was nice though.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/02/25

Full Review

Tyler L

Joseph Gordon-Levitt gives a stellar performance that pretty much carries the entire film. Unfortunately, Oliver Stone is unable to comidate deeper into the titular character's phychy that makes the plot feel too safe and boring.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/25

Full Review

Kirill M

Когда история на порядок лучше фильма.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

10/05/24

Full Review

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Director

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Edward Snowden

Shailene Woodley

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Snowden: Comic-Con Trailer

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Synopsis

Disillusioned with the intelligence community, top contractor Edward Snowden (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) leaves his job at the National Security Agency. He now knows that a virtual mountain of data is being assembled to track all forms of digital communication -- not just from foreign governments and terrorist groups, but from ordinary Americans. When Snowden decides to leak this classified information, he becomes a traitor to some, a hero to others and a fugitive from the law.

Director: Oliver Stone
Producer: Moritz Borman, Eric Kopeloff, Philip Schulz-Deyle, Fernando Sulichin
Screenwriter: Oliver Stone, Kieran Fitzgerald
Distributor: Open Road
Production Co: KrautPack Entertainment, Endgame Entertainment, Vendian Entertainment, Wild Bunch, Onda Entertainment
Rating: R (Some Sexuality/Nudity|Language)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 16, 2016, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 17, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $21.6M
Runtime: 2h 14m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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