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Tense, thoughtful, and deftly paced, The East is a political thriller that never loses sight of the human element.
All Critics (144) | Top Critics (43) | Fresh (108) | Rotten (36) | DVD (1)
Marling and Batmanglij don't fear or resent entertainment: They make effective thrillers... If they reach a major studio and bigger budget, they could be the right kind of dangerous. Jan 6, 2014 | Full Review…
Marling and Batmanglij don't fear or resent entertainment: They make effective thrillers... If they reach a major studio and bigger budget, they could be the right kind of dangerous.
Wesley Morris
A slick, grungy espionage thriller so in tune with the times it's almost uncanny. Jun 28, 2013 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
A slick, grungy espionage thriller so in tune with the times it's almost uncanny.
Charlotte O'Sullivan
A zeitgeist-grabbing indie spy thriller exploring the rise of techno-savvy anti-authoritarian movements lurking in the darkest recesses of the internet. Jun 28, 2013 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
A zeitgeist-grabbing indie spy thriller exploring the rise of techno-savvy anti-authoritarian movements lurking in the darkest recesses of the internet.
Martyn Conterio
It becomes sanctimonious, makes you contrary. I left craving a Big Mac. Jun 27, 2013 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
It becomes sanctimonious, makes you contrary. I left craving a Big Mac.
Henry Barnes
Its morally ambiguous investigation of extreme left-wing politics is ... light years away from usual multiplex concerns. Jun 25, 2013 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
Its morally ambiguous investigation of extreme left-wing politics is ... light years away from usual multiplex concerns.
Guy Lodge
The latest collaboration between director Zal Batmanglij and screenwriter Brit Marling suffers from the same problem as their previous picture, Sound of My Voice: It's taut, compelling, unpredictable and completely wipes out in the final few minutes. Jun 20, 2013 | Rating: 2/4
The latest collaboration between director Zal Batmanglij and screenwriter Brit Marling suffers from the same problem as their previous picture, Sound of My Voice: It's taut, compelling, unpredictable and completely wipes out in the final few minutes.
Rene Rodriguez
A perfectly functional, if somewhat underwhelming thriller, Batmanglij's The East feels all too much like a more grown-up and less naive version of the director's previous outing. Feb 25, 2019 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
A perfectly functional, if somewhat underwhelming thriller, Batmanglij's The East feels all too much like a more grown-up and less naive version of the director's previous outing.
Patrick Gamble
One of the most enchanting boring movies put to screen. Aug 26, 2018 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…
One of the most enchanting boring movies put to screen.
Terence Johnson
As it is, crippling plot holes and underdrawn characters may mean you're less than wholly seduced by The East. May 21, 2018 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
As it is, crippling plot holes and underdrawn characters may mean you're less than wholly seduced by The East.
Emma Dibdin
Its the rather sensitive portrayals from each character that you will remember the most. Sep 6, 2017 | Rating: B+ | Full Review…
Its the rather sensitive portrayals from each character that you will remember the most.
Candice Frederick
The whole thing feels strident and naive, a well-meaning drama composed by a couple of college kids for their Environmental Science final. Jan 1, 2014 | Full Review…
The whole thing feels strident and naive, a well-meaning drama composed by a couple of college kids for their Environmental Science final.
Piers Marchant
The total effect is affected, annoying and off-putting. Jan 1, 2014 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…
The total effect is affected, annoying and off-putting.
Jim Lane
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.
Super Reviewer
Good movie. The writing is clever and topical, and obviously hits quite a few nerves for those viewers who object to its criticism of corporate America. I applaud the film makers for daring to challenge a system that all too often succumbs to greed and corruption, and leaves behind death and grief. Not at all a dull movie, full of some really great acting...
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.
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!
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