The East

2013

The East

Critics Consensus

Tense, thoughtful, and deftly paced, The East is a political thriller that never loses sight of the human element.

75%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 146

64%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 19,990

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Movie Info

THE EAST, a suspenseful and provocative espionage thriller from acclaimed writer-director Zal Batmanglij and writer-actress Brit Marling, stars Marling as former FBI agent Sarah Moss. Moss is starting a new career at Hiller Brood, an elite private intelligence firm that ruthlessly protects the interests of its A-list corporate clientele. Handpicked for a plum assignment by the company's head honcho, Sharon (Patricia Clarkson), Sarah goes deep undercover to infiltrate The East, an elusive anarchist collective seeking revenge against major corporations guilty of covering up criminal activity. Determined, highly-trained and resourceful, Sarah soon ingratiates herself with the group, overcoming their initial suspicions and joining them on their next action or "jam." But living closely with the intensely committed members of The East, Sarah finds herself torn between her two worlds as she starts to connect with anarchist Benji (Alexander Skarsgård) and the rest of the collective, and awakens to the moral contradictions of her personal life. (c) Fox Searchlight
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (for thematic elements, violence, some disturbing images, sexual content and partial nudity)
  • Genre:
    Action & Adventure, Drama, Mystery & Suspense
  • Directed By:
    Zal Batmanglij
  • Written By:
    Brit Marling, Zal Batmanglij
  • In Theaters:
     limited
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Box Office:
    $1,600,000
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Fox Searchlight Pictures

Cast

Brit Marling
as Sarah
Alexander Skarsgård
as Benji
Ellen Page
as Izzy
Toby Kebbell
as Doc
Shiloh Fernandez
as Luca
Aldis Hodge
as Thumbs
Danielle McDonald
as Tess
Hillary Baack
as Eve
Patricia Clarkson
as Sharon
Jason Ritter
as Tim
Julia Ormond
as Paige Williams
Billy Magnussen
as Porty McCabe
Wilbur Fitzgerald
as Robert McCabe
John Neisler
as Rory Houston
Jamey Sheridan
as Richard Cannon
Pamela Roylance
as Diane Wisecarver
Ryan Grego
as Johnny Perkins
Ava Bogle
as Johnny's Mom
Nick Fuhrmann
as Johnny's Brother
Patricia French
as Fake Mom
Ron Flagge
as Hiller Brood Security
Han Soto
as Sharon's Assistant
Billy Slaughter
as Trevor "The Fed"
Benjamin Passmore
as Backroom Speaker
Sedef Seren
as Boxcar Singer
Richard Zeringue
as Railroad Bull #1
Brian Oerly
as Railroad Bull #2
Randy Fife
as Railroad Bull #3
Orpha Cabigting
as Filipino Maid
Lani Bemak
as Lani
John James Tourville
as John James
Angharad Robinson
as Angie
Michael Nouryeh
as Jim
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News & Interviews for The East

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Digital Multiplex: Iron Man 3, The Bling Ring, and More
Critics Consensus: After Earth is Lost in Space
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Critic Reviews for The East

All Critics (146) | Top Critics (45) | Fresh (110) | Rotten (36)

View All Critic Reviews (146)

Audience Reviews for The East

  • Jun 08, 2014
    It's uneven, especially in its lack of real suspense and character motivations. But The East's moral ambiguity and complexity of ideas makes for an engaging thriller that the studio system should be making more often. Writer/actor Brit Marling is quickly developing into a force to be reckoned with, standing alongside a great supporting cast with wit and ferocity.
    Edward B Super Reviewer
  • Feb 13, 2014
    From writer Brit Marling comes the political thriller The East. A security agent for a private firm infiltrates a reclusive eco-terrorist group and must navigate the complicated life of a double agent. Unfortunately the paced is extremely slow and the aesthetic is rather dreary. Additionally, the eco-group is poorly developed and never really poses the danger or allure that it's supposed to. While there's some intrigue to the plot, The East is monotonous and ineffective.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Dec 24, 2013
    I was pleasantly surprised by this movie and I am starting to admire Brit Marling as writer and actress. While some may love or hate the ending, I was thoroughly engaged in the story-line and I appreciate movies that leave me thinking afterwards.
    Wildaly M Super Reviewer
  • Dec 09, 2013
    Although it may drag out some scenes and have a few off moments, "The East" is a genuinely good thriller with very unique camerawork and a cast that you will not be able to turn away from. Every actor/actress in this film will engage you in the story and not want to stop watching. The first half of the film is far more interesting than the second half, but it's premise does not shy away from what it wants to get across. I think the biggest problem with the film is that it just chooses to end without any real resolution. I felt very letdown by the ending, but the characters stayed true, so that's fine I guess. This film has some scenes that really stood out to me, and that I would tell people to watch the film just to see those, the script is very well-written, and having Ridley Scott as one of your producers is a definite plus. I did not love this movie, but it is very very good!
    KJ P Super Reviewer
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