The Dissident (2020): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
The Dissident is a 2020 thriller documentary directed by Bryan Fogel, starring Jamal Khashoggi, Hatice Cengiz and John O. Brennan. It runs 1 hour 59 minutes and earned $101,993 worldwide. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Documentary at the BAFTA 2021. Critics gave it 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 81 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.8/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 59m (119 min)
- Director
- Bryan Fogel
- Genres
- Thriller , Crime , Documentary
- Original language
-
Arabic
- Studio
- Briarcliff Entertainment
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Dissident About?
The premise of The Dissident without spoilers.
When journalist Jamal Khashoggi disappears inside the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul, investigators begin to piece together a disturbing sequence of events revealing a calculated assassination. His fiancée and a network of international dissidents collaborate to expose the truth behind the disappearance, confronting a complex conspiracy that aims to suppress a powerful voice and expose the lengths to which some will go to protect their interests.
The Dissident Themes & Keywords
· 11 tags- murder
- saudi
- khashoggi
- assassination
- politics
- searching for the truth
- the truth
- threat
- demanding an explanation
- standing up for yourself
- world
The Dissident Cast
Jamal Khashoggi leads the cast, with Hatice Cengiz and John O. Brennan. Directed by Bryan Fogel; 11 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Bryan Fogel
-
Jamal Khashoggi as themselves -
Hatice Cengiz as themselves -
John O. Brennan as themselves -
Abdulhamit Gul as themselves
Also Starring in The Dissident
· 7 more- Fahrettin Altun Themselves
- Omar Abdulaziz Themselves
- Anthony J. Ferrante
- David Ignatius Themselves
- Turan Kislacki Themselves
- Wadah Khanfar Themselves
- Fatih Oke
More from Bryan Fogel
One more film directed by Bryan Fogel: Jewtopia.
The Dissident Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Dissident 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 81 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 79/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).
The Dissident Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, The Dissident delivers a rigorously researched and emotionally resonant documentary that excels in presenting complex material in a clear, compelling manner. It balances a well-structured investigative approach with dramatic storytelling, though some viewers noted that non-linear sequencing and stylistic graphics occasionally disrupt narrative flow. The film’s artful assembly and powerful thematic focus underscore its significance. Ultimately, it stands as a forceful portrayal with enduring impact.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 80
In terms of art and craft, the film demonstrates confident direction and polished cinematography that bring depth to its subject. The assembly of archival footage alongside contemporary interviews is generally seamless, creating visual clarity. However, occasional graphic overlays and illustrative animations can feel intrusive and unevenly integrated. Overall, the visual execution supports the documentary’s informative purpose while showing occasional stylistic friction.
- Character & Emotion 90
When it comes to character and emotional resonance, the documentary elicits genuine empathy through interviews and personal testimony. The portrayal of key figures conveys the weight of risk and loss with understated nuance. Emotional peaks are calibrated to maintain viewer engagement without sensationalism. Overall, the film’s focus on human experience amplifies its thematic immediacy and pathos.
- Story & Flow 80
Regarding narrative structure and pacing, the film delivers an engaging investigative journey that unfolds critical information in layered segments. The shift between archival records and interviews often builds tension effectively. Some viewers noted that non-chronological sequences and occasional digressive elements interrupt the momentum. Overall, the documentary strikes a balance between depth and urgency while facing minor coherence challenges.
- Sensory Experience 75
In terms of visual style and sound design, the documentary pairs crisp interview recordings with dynamic archival footage to underscore key moments. Ambient audio and score selections reinforce the film’s investigative tone. At times, the integration of illustrative animations and graphic text distracts from the sonic cohesion. Overall, the sensory elements largely enhance the narrative while occasionally drawing undue attention.
- Rewatch Factor 60
With regard to rewatch value, the film’s depth of research and thematic weight lend it lasting significance for audiences interested in political inquiry. Its unflinching presentation may invite renewed viewings to unpack details, although its serious tone and intense subject matter could deter repeat engagement. Overall, the documentary maintains solid lasting appeal despite potential viewer fatigue.
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IMDb 7.8 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 96% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 82%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 81 Metascore
User score 7.8
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 72% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.8 /5
2 ratings
See on Letterboxd
The Dissident Box Office
The Dissident grossed $101,993 worldwide. $57,000 came from the US and Canada and $44,993 (44%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$102K
- US & Canada
- $57K
- International
- $45K
The Dissident Awards & Nominations
The Dissident earned 1 award nomination, including Best Documentary at the BAFTA 2021.
1 nomination1 ceremony
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BAFTA 2021 1 nomination- Nominated Best Documentary
The Dissident Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Dissident.
The Dissident Also Known As
13 alternative titles, including “持不同政见者” and “持不同意见者”.
- Also known as
-
- 持不同政见者
- 持不同意见者
- El disidente
- 异见者
- Muhalif
- 异议
- المنشق
- Der Dissident
- Отцепникът
- 더 디시던트
- O Dissidente
- העיתונאי
+1 more Show fewer
- Mordet, der rystede verden
Seen The Dissident?
Movies Like The Dissident
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Kingdom of Silence, The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and The Kingdom.
The Dissident FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The Dissident, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Dissident?
The Dissident runs 1 hour 59 minutes (119 minutes).
When was The Dissident released?
The Dissident was released on December 25, 2020.
Who directed The Dissident?
The Dissident was directed by Bryan Fogel.
More films by Bryan Fogel Who is in the cast of The Dissident?
The Dissident stars Jamal Khashoggi, Hatice Cengiz and John O. Brennan, among 11 credited actors.
How much did The Dissident make at the box office?
The Dissident grossed $101,993 worldwide ($57,000 domestic, $44,993 international).
How is The Dissident rated?
The Dissident has 7.8/10 on IMDb, 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 81 on Metacritic and 72% on TMDB.
Was The Dissident nominated for any awards?
The Dissident received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.
Does The Dissident have a post-credit scene?
No. The Dissident has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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