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City of God

2002·Movie
2h 9min·R
87
ExcellentGoodWatch score
IMDb8.6Metacritic799.0Rotten Tomatoes91%97%
IMDb8.6Metacritic799.0Rotten Tomatoes91%97%

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Paramount+KanopyHooplaFree

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City of God fingerprint

Relentless energy, stunning style.

Energy

Brutally violent and nerve-racking

Fast from start to finish.

  • Violence10
  • Tension9
  • Fast Pace9

Heart

Moving and melancholic

Much of it is about growing up.

  • Coming of Age9
  • Pathos8
  • Melancholy7

Humor

Some dark humor and sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Dark Humor6
  • Wit & Wordplay5
  • Situational Comedy2

World

Crime, society, and everyday modern life

Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.

  • World Immersion10
  • Rewatchability8
  • Novelty8

Craft

Standout direction, performances, and storytelling

  • Direction10
  • Acting9
  • Narrative Structure9

Style

Standout cinematography, editing, and score

A distinctive visual signature.

  • Cinematography10
  • Editing10
  • Music Composition9

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightSolo WatchThought-Provoking

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About

If you run, the beast catches you; if you stay, the beast eats you.

In the poverty-stricken favelas of Rio de Janeiro in the 1970s, two young men choose different paths. Rocket is a budding photographer who documents the increasing drug-related violence of his neighborhood, while José “Zé” Pequeno is an ambitious drug dealer diving into a dangerous life of crime.
Visceral Crime DramaFavela RealismKinetic Editing & CinematographyTragic Coming-of-AgeSystemic Poverty CritiqueNon-Linear Narrative StructureHigh-Octane ViolenceCultural Landmark FilmSoulful Soundtrack Integration

Crew

Directed by:
Fernando Meirelles, Kátia Lund, Isabella Teixeira
Written by:
Bráulio Mantovani, Paulo Lins
Produced by:
Walter Salles, Daniel Filho, Vincent Maraval
Composed by:
Martín Hernández, Roland N. Thai, Antonio Pinto

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about City of God

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream City of God legally?

Paramount+KanopyHoopla

City of God is included with a subscription to Paramount+ in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy and Hoopla. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, and Apple TV Store. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is City of God worth watching?

87
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 87/100 (IMDb 8.6, Rotten Tomatoes 91%, and Metacritic 79). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is City of God rated?

RViolenceDrug useStrong languageSexual contentDisturbing imagery

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence, drug use, strong language, sexual content, and disturbing imagery.

How long is City of God?

2 h 9 min

City of God runs 2 h 9 min.

Is City of God based on a true story?

Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.

Do critics and audiences agree on City of God?

Critics85
Audiences91

Yes. Critics average 85 and audiences 91 out of 100, so both groups see City of God much the same way.

Was City of God a box office hit?

Budget$3 million
Box office$31 million

Yes, a big one. It cost about $3 million to make and earned $31 million worldwide, 9.3 times its budget.

What language is City of God in?

Portuguese

It was made in Portuguese. Produced in Brazil, France, Germany.

In how many countries can I watch City of God?

49ADARATAUBEBOBRBZCACHCLCOCRCY+35

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for City of God in 49 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does City of God use?

Bait-and-SwitchPet the DogAmbition is EvilDamn, It Feels Good to Be a Gangster!Disproportionate RetributionMonochrome CastingWhole Episode FlashbackTime-Passage BeardDirty CowardSelf-Fulfilling ProphecyFrom Camouflage to CriminalInitiation Ceremonyand 107 more

TV Tropes lists 119 storytelling tropes for City of God, including Bait-and-Switch, Pet the Dog, Ambition is Evil.