The Believer

The movie tells the story of a young Jewish man who becomes fiercely anti-Semitic.

The Believer (2001) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more.

A stunning American drama about a former Orthodox Jew (Ryan Gosling) who becomes a neo-fascist.

Good Ryan Gosling movies, movies about Judaism, movies about Nazis, instructive movies, intellectual movies.

'I'm the only one who does believe. I see him for the power-drunk madman he is. And we're supposed to worship such a deity? I say never.'

Here's the thing about The Believer, from screenwriter and first-time director Henry Bean: It's a fireball of contradictory ideas that will pin you to your seat.

Censors feel they are safe with objectionable material but must protect others who are not as smart or moral. The same impulse tempts the reviewer of "The Believer." Here is a fiercely controversial film about a Jew who becomes an anti-Semite. When I saw it at Sundance 2001, where it won the Grand Jury Prize, I wrote "some feared the film could do more harm than good." I shared those fears. The film's hero is so articulate in his retailing of anti-Semitic beliefs that his words, I thought, might find the wrong ears. I understand the film, I was saying--but are you to be trusted with it?

t's hard not to like Ryan Gosling. Even as a drugged-up teacher in Half Nelson, you still felt a pull toward him. The Believer is no exception. Had another actor assumed the role of neo-Nazi Danny Balint, you might not enjoy the movie. The fact that Gosling captivates you from the beginning makes you intrigued throughout the film, which at times is a bit hard to watch.

The Believer is a 2001 American drama film co-written (with Mark Jacobson) and directed by Henry Bean. The film stars Ryan Gosling as Daniel Balint, a Jew who becomes a Neo-Nazi. It won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival and the Golden St. George at the 23rd Moscow International Film Festival.

Directed by Henry Bean. With Ryan Gosling, Summer Phoenix, Peter Meadows, Garret Dillahunt. A young Jewish man develops a fiercely anti-Semitic philosophy. Based on the factual story of a K.K.K. member in the 1960s who was revealed to be Jewish by a New York Times reporter.