Four Lions

2010

Four Lions

Critics Consensus

Its premise suggests brazenly tasteless humor, but Four Lions is actually a smart, pitch-black comedy that carries the unmistakable ring of truth.

83%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 133

80%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 23,325

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Movie Info

In a British city, four men have a secret plan. Omar is disillusioned about the treatment of Muslims around the world and is determined to become a soldier. This is the most exciting idea Waj has ever heard. Opposed to Omar and everyone else on earth is the white islamic convert Barry. He'd realize he joined the cell to channel his nihilism -- if he had half the self knowledge of a duck. Faisal is the odd man out. He can make a bomb -- but he can't blow himself up just now coz his sick dad has "started eating newspaper." Instead he's training crows to fly bombs through windows. This is what Omar has to deal with. They must strike a decisive blow on their own turf but can any of them strike a match without punching himself in the face?

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Cast

Riz Ahmed
as Omar
Arsher Ali
as Hassan
Nigel Lindsay
as Barry
Kayvan Novak
as Waj
Adeel Akhtar
as Faisal
Julia Davis
as Alice
Benedict Cumberbatch
as Negotiator
Craig Parkinson
as Matt
Preeya Kalidas
as Sofia
Wasim Zakir
as Ahmed
Mohammad Aqil
as Mahmood
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Critics Consensus: Megamind Is Sometimes Super
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Critic Reviews for Four Lions

All Critics (133) | Top Critics (35)

  • [Morris's] new comedy has a provocative, ticklish premise -- five North England Muslims become suicide bombers, but can't decide who or what to take with them.

    Feb 25, 2011 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

    Stephen Cole

    Globe and Mail
    Top Critic

  • It's difficult to imagine a movie this boldly provocative about the underworld of violent jihad, much less one that actually inspires laughter.

    Feb 24, 2011 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Peter Howell

    Toronto Star
    Top Critic

  • The first feature, written and directed by satirist Chris Morris, may seem profane to some, but if you're doomed by watching it, at least you'll go down laughing.

    Jan 14, 2011 | Rating: B | Full Review…

    Tom Long

    Detroit News
    Top Critic

  • The film wisely doesn't try to explore the roots of religious fanaticism and how it can manifest as murder: Instead, it simply accepts the world as it is and focuses on the ridiculous.

    Dec 29, 2010 | Rating: 3/4

    Rene Rodriguez

    Miami Herald
    Top Critic

  • Four Lions is more interesting than riotous. Consider it an example - a well-paced, clever and understated compassionate example - of a filmmaker wrestling with fear.

    Dec 17, 2010 | Rating: 2.5/4

    Lisa Kennedy

    Denver Post
    Top Critic

  • Really, these guys are just knuckleheads. And the movie is full of outrageous laughs.

    Dec 10, 2010 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…

    Richard Nilsen

    Arizona Republic
    Top Critic
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Audience Reviews for Four Lions

  • Jul 17, 2013
    <i>"Fuck mini Babybells"</i> Christopher Morris has never been afraid of satirizing a sensitive topic and releasing his ideas through comedic feature films, even at the expense of hurting the sensitivity of an entire class or group. <i>Four Lions</i> is one of the funniest films I have ever seen (no exaggeration), with absolutely terrific one liners and situations that border on the absurd, from slapstick to predominantly criticizing the Islamic moral and contrasting it with the mass media manipulation and the governmental incompetence of hypocritical European authorities. Throw some anti consumerist imperialism commentaries and you've got a full hilarious satirical salad! <i>"The report makes crystal clear that the police shot the right man, but, as far as I'm aware, the wrong man exploded."</i> 85/100
    Edgar C Super Reviewer
  • Apr 21, 2013
    Watching this in the wake of the Boston bombing might've been the oddest connection to life I've made from a movie.
    Daniel D Super Reviewer
  • Dec 22, 2012
    "Four Lions" is probably one of the most ridiculous movies produced in the last few years and is well worth a watch if you're looking for something that doesn't take itself seriously in the slightest. It is full of memorable moments and is a great laugh with a truly unique storyline.
    Tom R Super Reviewer
  • Aug 07, 2012
    Two nights before I watched 'Four Lions' I watched 'Peeping Tom' and the night before - 'Rashomon', two excedingly good films, perhaps they are the reason 'Four Lions' left me feeling cold and strangely enough, a feeling I'm not to familiar coming away from films feeling- annoyed at a missed chance (it's like 'Max Payne' again). Don't get me wrong, 'Four Lions' had me laughing at some of it's jokes, but the serious turns its took at the end felt unneeded and quite frankly, desperate, trying to get a reaction from the audience as the main character martyr themselves, main characters that throughout the film I felt no empathy for, so why should I care? 'Four Lions' had what it needed to be good, a new innovative premise and the cast to do it, what it came up with was a cheap anything for laughs (oh wait we're serious now but no we're not?), uneven mess.
    Cameron S Super Reviewer
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