The Grey Zone

Play trailer

The Grey Zone

R

Released Oct 18, 2002

1h 48m

History

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

70%

Tomatometer

86 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

A grim and devastating tale of the Holocaust.

Read Critics Reviews

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

Full Review

Bruce Westbrook

Houston Chronicle

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

Rated: B+

Nov 15, 2002

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Read all reviews

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Tim Blake Nelson

Director

David Arquette

Hoffman

Daniel Benzali

Schlermer

Steve Buscemi

Abramowics

David Chandler

Rosenthal

Allan Corduner

Nyiszli

Bloody Sunday

92%

90%

Bloody Sunday

Watchlist

Gangs of New York

72%

81%

Gangs of New York

Watchlist

Good

34%

32%

Good

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Fifth Rambo on the Fast Track?

Trailer Bulletin: School for Scoundrels

Bosworth and Bloom to Brave the Depression Together

View more photos

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

Most Popular at Home Now