Snowden

R

Released Sep 16, 2016

2 hr. 14 min.

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

Biography

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for Snowden: Comic-Con Trailer

List

61%

263 Reviews

Tomatometer

70%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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Audience Member

Very interesting movie and fact based. Overall good and definitely makes you realize the extent can government can go.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/12/24

Full Review

donnie m

i'm watching now and it's interestingbut why do 'some' actors think it's cute or sexy to chew like a pig (gum) while talking, it's SO gross

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/27/24

Full Review

Alec B

The existence of Laura Poitras "Citizenfour" makes a biopic of Snowden unnecessary and Stone does little to justify this film's existence.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

12/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Oliver Stone’s best work since the 1990s. It’s a shame he hasn’t directed a feature film in 7 years because this was a fantastic return to form for him. Important movie about a courageous man that raises some fascinating questions about the common man and his government watching his every move.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/26/23

Full Review

Bruno V

O filme baseado em fatos reais, uma realidade distópica que iremos viver em breve. Mas a contar pelo filme documentário, quero deixar bem claro que esse filme se arrastou sem precisão deixando várias coisas entre-linhas comprometendo o fácil entendimento do expectador.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

08/05/23

Full Review

Mato S

Snowden (2016) is a biographical thriller film directed by Oliver Stone and written by Stone and Kieran Fitzgerald. It is based on the books The Snowden Files (2014) by Luke Harding and Time of the Octopus (2015) by Anatoly Kucherena, which tell the story of Edward Snowden, a former CIA and NSA contractor who leaked classified information about the US government's mass surveillance programs to the press in 2013. The film stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Snowden, Shailene Woodley as his girlfriend Lindsay Mills, Melissa Leo as documentary filmmaker Laura Poitras, Zachary Quinto as journalist Glenn Greenwald, Tom Wilkinson as reporter Ewen MacAskill, and Nicolas Cage as Snowden's mentor Hank Forrester. The film also features Rhys Ifans, Scott Eastwood, Logan Marshall-Green, Timothy Olyphant, Ben Schnetzer, LaKeith Stanfield and others in supporting roles. The film follows Snowden's life from his military training in 2004 to his exile in Russia in 2013, with flashbacks to his work for the CIA and NSA in various locations around the world. The film also depicts his clandestine meeting with Poitras, Greenwald and MacAskill in Hong Kong, where he hands over thousands of documents exposing the NSA's illegal spying activities on millions of people around the world. The film also shows the consequences of his actions on his personal and professional life, as well as the reactions of the public and the authorities. The film is a gripping and compelling portrayal of one of the most controversial whistleblowers of our time. It raises important questions about privacy, security, democracy and human rights in the digital age. The film does not shy away from showing the complexity and ambiguity of Snowden's motives and actions, as well as the risks and challenges he faced along the way. The film also does not take sides or offer easy answers, but rather invites the audience to form their own opinions and judgments. The film benefits from a strong performance by Gordon-Levitt, who convincingly captures Snowden's personality, mannerisms and voice. He portrays Snowden as a smart, idealistic, patriotic and courageous man who is also conflicted, troubled and lonely. Woodley also delivers a solid performance as Mills, who supports and loves Snowden despite their differences and difficulties. Leo, Quinto and Wilkinson are also effective as the journalists who help Snowden expose the truth to the world. Cage adds some humor and warmth as Forrester, who inspires Snowden to question authority and think for himself. The film also boasts impressive cinematography by Anthony Dod Mantle, who creates a realistic and immersive atmosphere for each location and scene. The film uses a variety of visual techniques, such as split screens, surveillance footage, computer graphics and archival material to enhance the narrative and convey the scope and scale of the surveillance programs. The film also features a haunting score by Craig Armstrong that adds tension and emotion to the film. The film is not without flaws, however. The film suffers from some pacing issues, especially in the first half, where it jumps back and forth between different time periods and locations without much coherence or clarity. The film also relies on some clichés and stereotypes, such as the evil government agents, the nerdy hackers and the exotic dancers. The film also simplifies some aspects of Snowden's story, such as his relationship with Mills or his interactions with other whistleblowers. The film also does not explore some of the ethical dilemmas or criticisms that Snowden faced or raised by his actions. Snowden (2016) is a well-made and well-acted film that tells an important and relevant story about one of the most influential figures of our time. It is a film that challenges and educates its viewers about the issues of privacy, security and freedom in the modern world. It is a film that deserves to be seen and discussed by anyone who cares about these issues.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/26/23

Full Review

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Oliver Stone

Director

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Edward Snowden

Shailene Woodley

Lindsay Mills

Rhys Ifans

Corbin O'Brian

Nicolas Cage

Hank Forrester

Melissa Leo

Laura Poitras

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Snowden: Comic-Con Trailer

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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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Zach Pope

Zach Pope Reviews

Oliver Stone's best movie in years

Aug 7, 2023

Full Review

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

David Gonzalez

The Cinematic Reel

While not in the upper tier of Stones films, Snowden is an educational tour into Oliver Stones U.S. The film has a feel of JFK and brings to light more questions most of us would never think to ask.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 14, 2022

Full Review

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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
Executive Producer: Max Arvelaiz, Michael Bassick, Douglas E. Hansen, José Ibáñez, Peter Lawson, Serge Lobo, Bahman Naraghi, Tom Ortenberg, James D. Stern, Christopher Woodrow
Screenwriter: Oliver Stone, Kieran Fitzgerald
Distributor: Open Road
Production Co: Onda Entertainment, Endgame Entertainment, KrautPack Entertainment, Wild Bunch, Vendian 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
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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