The Grey Zone

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The Grey Zone

R

Released Oct 18, 2002

1h 48m

History

Drama

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Popcornmeter

70%

Tomatometer

86 Reviews

74%

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5,000+ Ratings

Based on actual events, "The Grey Zone" is the staggeringly powerful story of the Auschwitz's twelfth Sonderkommando -- one of the thirteen consecutive "Special Squads" of Jewish prisoners placed by the Nazis in the excruciating moral dilemma of helping to exterminate fellow Jews in exchange for a few more months of life. From inside the working organs of the infamous Auschwitz death camp, this film asks to what terrible lengths we are willing to go to save our own lives.

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Critics Consensus

A grim and devastating tale of the Holocaust.

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

They are dark, thoroughly uncompromising works of a filmmaker completely fearless to take an audience into dank recesses of the human condition.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 19, 2003

Full Review

Marjorie Baumgarten

Austin Chronicle

If stars could be awarded on the basis of good intentions, The Grey Zone should be king of the galaxy. Unfortunately, it lands on earth with something of a thud.

Rated: 2.5/5

Nov 18, 2002

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Bruce Westbrook

Houston Chronicle

Even in its darkest moments, a heartening defiance underlies gut-wrenching calamity.

Rated: B+

Nov 15, 2002

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Tom Cassidy

Common Sense Media

But the film's good intentions suffer under the Hollywood production and its cast of famous faces, which includes David Arquette, Harvey Keitel, Steve Buscemi, and Natasha Lyonne.

Apr 8, 2025

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

The Grey Zone may be a forgotten film but it is essential viewing as far as Holocaust movies are concerned.

Rated: 4.5/5

May 6, 2024

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Joel Siegel

Good Morning America

If they gave an Oscar for best ensemble acting, and I think they should, The Grey Zone would get my vote.

Rated: B+

Jan 4, 2018

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kevin o

...not one moment that wasn t riveting. Acting, direction and everthing else were perfect. The way to tell a horrible story.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/24/25

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Alain E

This is not equivalent of the Zone of Interest from the prisoners perspective. Totally ridiculous despite the good actors involved.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

12/02/24

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Audience Member

The fact that it is a true, yet seldom heard, account of the holocaust makes it quite compelling throughout. I don't think the cinematography is great, in particular the angles, but it's not the worst to look at. Interesting course of events. Yet another grim ending to a holocaust movie.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

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delysid d

how awful, a Hollywood Soap Opera set in the holocaust~!! If you think this is good, theres a much better film on the subject you should watch - its called SHOAH

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

12/26/18

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Audience Member

Pretty good movie of what some of the Jews wen t through to try to stay a live longer in the camp.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

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greg r

Based almost exactly on a surviving doctor from Auschwitz. Read the book 'Auschwitz' first and enjoy the movie even more.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Tim Blake Nelson

Director

David Arquette

Hoffman

Daniel Benzali

Schlermer

Steve Buscemi

Abramowics

David Chandler

Rosenthal

Allan Corduner

Nyiszli

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Synopsis

Based on actual events, "The Grey Zone" is the staggeringly powerful story of the Auschwitz's twelfth Sonderkommando -- one of the thirteen consecutive "Special Squads" of Jewish prisoners placed by the Nazis in the excruciating moral dilemma of helping to exterminate fellow Jews in exchange for a few more months of life. From inside the working organs of the infamous Auschwitz death camp, this film asks to what terrible lengths we are willing to go to save our own lives.

Director: Tim Blake Nelson
Producer: Pamela Koffler, Christine Vachon, Tim Blake Nelson, Avi Lerner, Danny Lerner
Screenwriter: Tim Blake Nelson, Tim Blake Nelson, Miklos Nyiszli
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Production Co: Goatsingers, Millennium Films, Killer Films
Rating: R (Strong Holocaust Violence|Nudity|Language)
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 18, 2002, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 2, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $507.4K
Runtime: 1h 48m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo

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