Snowden

Biography, Drama, Thriller

The NSA's illegal surveillance techniques are leaked to the public by one of the agency's employees, Edward Snowden, in the form of thousands of classified documents distributed to the press.

The critical consensus

Aided by a dialled-down Gordon-Levitt, Stone skilfully demystifies one of the Obama era’s most compelling stories. It’s a welcome return to form for a cinematic sleeping giant.

(*) (*) Jimi Famurewa, Empire Online, 05/12/2016

Stone makes a compelling case that his subject is a hero, not a traitor, and tells his story with a fair amount of cinematic flair. Nonetheless, many elements here are on the clunky side.

(*) (*) Geoffrey Macnab, The Independent, 07/12/2016

Joseph Gordon-Levitt gives an intelligent, alert performance as whistleblower Edward Snowden, in Oliver Stone’s best work since the 90s.

(*) Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian, 08/12/2016

Laura Poitras already nailed this subject with her film CITIZENFOUR.

Adam Lee Davies, Little White Lies, 08/12/2016

Rescued by and excellent turn from Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

(*) (*) Alistair Harkness, The Scotsman, 08/12/2016

Ultimately, Snowden makes you understand why he felt that there was no choice but to risk everything and let the world know the truth.

(*) Allan Hunter, Daily Express, 09/12/2016

Despite a fine performance from Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Oliver Stone’s take on one of the big stories of our time seems oddly subdued.

(*) (*) Wendy Ide, The Observer, 11/12/2016