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The Dictator

Play trailer Poster for The Dictator R 2012 1h 23m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
56% Tomatometer 219 Reviews 45% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Gen. Aladeen (Sacha Baron Cohen) has ruled the oil-rich North African country of Wadiya since the age of six, when 97 stray bullets and a hand grenade killed his father in a hunting accident. After an assassination attempt takes the life of yet another body-double, Tamir (Ben Kingsley), Aladeen's uncle and most trusted adviser, convinces Aladeen to go to New York. Unfortunately, Aladeen has a less-than-friendly reception from exiled Wadiyans, who want their country freed from his despotic rule.
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The Dictator

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Critics Consensus

Wildly uneven but consistently provocative, The Dictator is a decent entry in the poli-slapstick comedy genre.

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Critics Reviews

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Deborah Ross The Spectator Sep 1, 2018
I think I can feel it disappearing from my mind even as I am trying to remember it... It's Baron Cohen going at 50mph rather than 100mph. Go to Full Review J. Hoberman Tablet May 3, 2016
The problem is that, unlike Ali G, Borat, and Brno, Aladeen is less a force of nature than a scripted performance. Go to Full Review Jenny McCartney Daily Telegraph (UK) Jun 1, 2012
1/5
Both the laughter and the satire had crawled off and quietly died. Go to Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Oct 19, 2022
1.5/4
Laughs are few and far between, which comes as a surprise given how Borat and Brüno managed to be two of the most riotously funny movies you’ll ever see. Go to Full Review James Croot The Post NZ Feb 7, 2022
Overall The Dictator lacks the wit, invention and spontaneity of Baron Cohen's earlier work... Go to Full Review Owen Nicholls NME (New Musical Express) May 13, 2021
The over saturation of marketing stunts certainly didn't help the appeal but politically and comedically you'll find more to think about and laugh at during a single half hour on The Daily Show or The Colbert Report. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Sakinda K @RT74546806 Aug 9, 2026 Don't get offended. Right on the spot movie, sobce it is almost 15 years and it still valid.. See more Thyaagu C @Thyaagu Aug 5, 2026 Unfiltered stupidity!! See more Melissa L @Agent99 Jun 14, 2026 It's funny, although a little edgy at times. I recommend it. See more Dexter E @Dexter007 May 22, 2026 The Dictator is one of the funniest movies I have watched. The comedy scenes are completely wild and unexpected from the fake leadership moments to the awkward public speeches that turn into total chaos. Every scene feels more ridiculous than the previous one, and that is what makes the movie so entertaining. Sacha Baron Cohen perfectly plays a leader who thinks he is powerful, but keeps getting trapped in hilarious situations. The movie mixes dark humor, silly comedy, and crazy moments in a very smart way. Some scenes are so awkward that they become impossible to stop laughing at. A short movie with nonstop comedy and pure madness. See more Toggo U @RT38232770 May 9, 2026 I laughed so hard I couldn't talk, multiple times. Way funnier than Borat. See more Jesus B @RT71254475 Apr 30, 2026 Es una película tonta de comedia como todas las de Anna Faris. Dicho eso, es una película bastante divertida y entretenida y totalmente recomendada para todos aquellos que disfruten del género. Cuenta con una alocada historia, buen guíon y excelentes actuaciones. See more Read all reviews
The Dictator

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Cast & Crew

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Larry Charles

Director

Sacha Baron Cohen

Gen. Aladeen

Anna Faris

Zoey

Ben Kingsley

Tamir

Jason Mantzoukas

Nadal

Kevin Corrigan

Slade

Movie Clips

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The Dictator

The Dictator: Official Clip - The Vegan Jihad The Dictator: Official Clip - The Vegan Jihad 1:42 Now Playing The Dictator: Official Clip - The Aladeen Law The Dictator: Official Clip - The Aladeen Law 1:22 Now Playing The Dictator: Official Clip - Nuclear Nadal The Dictator: Official Clip - Nuclear Nadal 2:12 Now Playing The Dictator: Official Clip - Death to Aladeen The Dictator: Official Clip - Death to Aladeen 2:12 Now Playing The Dictator: Official Clip - Delivering Love The Dictator: Official Clip - Delivering Love 2:13 Now Playing The Dictator: Official Clip - Seducing Megan Fox The Dictator: Official Clip - Seducing Megan Fox 1:44 Now Playing The Dictator: Official Clip - You're Making a Fool out of Me! The Dictator: Official Clip - You're Making a Fool out of Me! 2:13 Now Playing The Dictator: Official Clip - You Need to Touch Yourself The Dictator: Official Clip - You Need to Touch Yourself 2:13 Now Playing The Dictator: Official Clip - A Snag on the Zipline The Dictator: Official Clip - A Snag on the Zipline 2:02 Now Playing The Dictator: Official Clip - The Helicopter The Dictator: Official Clip - The Helicopter 2:10 Now Playing View more videos

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The Dictator

Sacha Baron Cohen as General Aladeen in "The Dictator." A scene from "The Dictator." Sacha Baron Cohen as General Aladeen and Anna Faris as Zoey in "The Dictator." A scene from "The Dictator." Sacha Baron Cohen (center) as General Aladeen in "The Dictator." Anna Faris as Zoey and Sacha Baron Cohen as General Aladeen in "The Dictator." A scene from "The Dictator." Anna Faris as Zoey and Sacha Baron Cohen as General Aladeen in "The Dictator." Sacha Baron Cohen as General Aladeen in "The Dictator." (L-R) Ben Kingsley as Tamir and Sacha Baron Cohen as General Aladeen in "The Dictator." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Gen. Aladeen (Sacha Baron Cohen) has ruled the oil-rich North African country of Wadiya since the age of six, when 97 stray bullets and a hand grenade killed his father in a hunting accident. After an assassination attempt takes the life of yet another body-double, Tamir (Ben Kingsley), Aladeen's uncle and most trusted adviser, convinces Aladeen to go to New York. Unfortunately, Aladeen has a less-than-friendly reception from exiled Wadiyans, who want their country freed from his despotic rule.
Director
Larry Charles
Producer
Sacha Baron Cohen, Alec Berg, David Mandel, Jeff Schaffer, Anthony Hines, Scott Rudin, Todd Schulman
Screenwriter
Sacha Baron Cohen, Alec Berg, David Mandel, Jeff Schaffer
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Scott Rudin Productions, Berg Mandel Schaffer, Four by Two Films
Rating
R (Language|Brief Male Nudity|Some Violent Images|Strong Crude & Sexual Content)
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 16, 2012, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 14, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$59.6M
Runtime
1h 23m
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