Citizenfour

R

Released Oct 24, 2014

1 hr. 54 min.

Documentary

List

96%

145 Reviews

Tomatometer

87%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

After Laura Poitras received encrypted emails from someone with information on the government's massive covert-surveillance programs, she and reporter Glenn Greenwald flew to Hong Kong to meet the sender, who turned out to be Edward Snowden.

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Critics Consensus

Part real-life thriller, part sobering examination of 21st century civil liberties, Citizenfour transcends ideology to offer riveting, must-see cinema.

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Shael

One of those stories you watch and will never forget, almost like it lives in the back of your mind like a surveillance tape. Massive respect for the brave hero of out story.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/26/23

Full Review

Alec B

It's hard to deny the film's power and it's made all the more interesting by Snowden's very distinct lack of charisma.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/13/23

Full Review

Rich S

Along comes Edward Snowden, whose reveal in Poitras' film is one of the highlights of this low-action thriller. Snowden is obviously, as he has been most of his life, the smartest guy in the room. He has taken the first leap toward martyrdom and will leave behind his family and his country to get the word out about a vast network of global surveillance the US has helped to develop. And there is no irony when Snowden, tucked safely away in a Moscow apartment, is seen in footage taken by Poitras as a man in hiding in the safe haven of Putin's Russia.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/22/23

Full Review

B R

Incredible & Important

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/06/23

Full Review

Mato S

Citizenfour (2014) is a documentary film directed by Laura Poitras, who also produced it along with Mathilde Bonnefoy and Dirk Wilutzky. It is the third and final installment of Poitras' 9/11 trilogy, following My Country, My Country (2006) and The Oath (2010). The film documents the meeting and interviews between Poitras, journalist Glenn Greenwald, and former NSA contractor Edward Snowden in Hong Kong in June 2013, where Snowden revealed his identity as the source of the leaked documents that exposed the NSA's mass surveillance programs. The film also shows the aftermath of Snowden's revelations, his escape from Hong Kong, his asylum in Russia, and the reactions of the public and the authorities. The film is a riveting and revealing account of one of the most significant whistleblowing events of our time. It shows the courage and conviction of Snowden, who risked his life and freedom to expose the truth about the US government's violation of privacy and human rights. It also shows the dedication and professionalism of Poitras and Greenwald, who worked tirelessly to verify and publish Snowden's information, while facing threats and harassment from the intelligence agencies. The film also captures the tension and suspense of the situation, as Snowden and his allies try to evade detection and capture by the US government. The film benefits from a direct and intimate access to Snowden, who appears as a calm, articulate and intelligent person who explains his motives and actions clearly and convincingly. He also shows his human side, as he expresses his fears, doubts and emotions during his ordeal. Poitras also uses her camera effectively to create a sense of urgency and authenticity, as she records the events as they unfold in real time. She also uses archival footage, surveillance images, computer graphics and voice-overs to provide context and background information for the audience. The film also features a minimalist but haunting score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross that adds to the mood and atmosphere of the film. The film is not without flaws, however. The film may be biased in favor of Snowden and his supporters, as it does not present any opposing views or arguments from the US government or its allies. The film may also be too technical or complex for some viewers, as it delves into the details and implications of the NSA's surveillance programs. The film may also be too long or repetitive for some viewers, as it covers a lot of ground and information that may already be familiar to some. Citizenfour (2014) is a powerful and important film that tells a compelling and relevant story about one of the most courageous and controversial figures of our time. It is a film that challenges and informs its viewers about the issues of privacy, security and democracy in the digital age. It is a film that deserves to be seen and discussed by anyone who cares about these issues.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/26/23

Full Review

Sean H

Must watch for everybody

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

Full Review

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Laura Poitras

Director

Edward Snowden

Self

Julian Assange

Self

Jacob Appelbaum

Self

William Binney

Self

Ewen MacAskill

Self

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Stephen Romei

The Australian

Laura Poitras's Oscar-nominated documentary Citizenfour is proof that you can make an espionage thriller without car chases, bikini babes or martinis.

Rated: 3.5/5

Feb 19, 2015

Full Review

Paul Byrnes

Sydney Morning Herald

There's footage from within the Ecuadorian embassy in London as Julian Assange helps with the flight that takes Snowden to Moscow, where he claims political asylum. These scenes give the film an unprecedented level of immediacy and dramatic tension.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 18, 2015

Full Review

Richard Corliss

TIME Magazine

Poitras' movie works even better as a horror picture -- perfect for Halloween week.

Jan 5, 2015

Full Review

Jordan M. Smith

IONCINEMA.com

One would be hard pressed to find a more culturally critical cinematic work than Poitras' risky, revealing film Citizenfour.

Rated: 5/5

Oct 21, 2020

Full Review

Brian D. Johnson

Maclean's Magazine

So much is revealed by those leaks that it would be easy for Poitras to have buried us in data. But she lets the film unfold as a character study, with long silences and lingering close-ups as we watch Snowden come to terms...

Aug 8, 2019

Full Review

Ren Jender

Bitch Flicks

Citizenfour, I had to keep reminding myself, shows us history in the making. I had to keep telling myself what I was seeing was important because most of it is otherwise pretty dull.

Mar 11, 2019

Full Review

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Synopsis

After Laura Poitras received encrypted emails from someone with information on the government's massive covert-surveillance programs, she and reporter Glenn Greenwald flew to Hong Kong to meet the sender, who turned out to be Edward Snowden.

Director: Laura Poitras
Executive Producer: Steven Soderbergh, Jeff Skoll, Diane Weyermann, David Menschel, Tom Quinn, Sheila Nevins
Distributor: Radius TWC
Production Co: HBO Documentary Films, Participant Media
Rating: R (Language)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 24, 2014, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 25, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.8M

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