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Trailer

Elite Squad

2007Movie1 h 55 minR

Drama
62
DecentGoodWatch score
IMDb8.0Letterboxd4.0/5Metacritic338.5Rotten Tomatoes53%87%

A nerve-racking, brutally violent drama movie about everyday modern life and crime, with standout direction and performances.

Good for friends night · thought-provoking · adults

Skip it if you need an uplifting mood · graphic violence bothers you · you want something quiet and calm

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for warmth, comfort or laughs.

Movies with

Story

On the streets of Rio only the elite survive

In 1997, before the visit of the pope to Rio de Janeiro, Captain Nascimento from BOPE (Special Police Operations Battalion) is assigned to eliminate the risks of the drug dealers in a dangerous slum nearby where the pope intends to be lodged.

Feels like

  • Gritty Crime Thriller
  • Police Brutality Critique
  • Intense Psychological Drama
  • Social Inequality Commentary
  • Visceral Action
  • Moral Ambiguity
  • Rio de Janeiro Favelas
  • High-Octane Tension

Cast

24 of 36

Crew

Directed by
José Padilha
Written by
José Padilha, André Batista, Rodrigo Pimentel
Produced by
Marcos Prado, José Padilha
Music by
Pedro Bromfman

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

October 5, 2007 · 1 h 55 min · R

Released
October 5, 2007
Runtime
1 h 55 min
Age rating
R
Content
Violence, Strong Language, Drug Use, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Drama, Action, Crime
Original language
Portuguese
Made in
Brazil
Budget
$4 million
Box office
$15 million
Available in
56 countries

Tropes

It's Personal, Black Dude Dies First, Unscrupulous Hero +9

  • It's Personal
  • Black Dude Dies First
  • Unscrupulous Hero
  • Butt-Monkey
  • Cop Killer
  • Alas, Poor Yorick
  • It's Always Sunny at Funerals
  • You Are Number Six
  • I Have This Friend
  • Strawman Political
  • Entitled Bastard
  • Not in the Face!

12 of 93 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream Elite Squad?"

Questions about Elite Squad

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Elite Squad?

PlexLionsgate+BFI PlayerTubi TV

In the United States, Elite Squad streams on Lionsgate+ and BFI Player, and it is free with ads on Plex and Tubi TV. You can rent or buy it from Google Play Movies and YouTube. It also streams in 27 other countries.

Is Elite Squad worth watching?

62
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 62 (IMDb 8, Letterboxd 4.0 out of 5, Rotten Tomatoes 53%, and Metacritic 33). Audiences rate it higher (83 out of 100) than critics (43).

Will I feel good after watching Elite Squad?

BleakHopeful

Probably not: the title analysis rates it 9 of 10 for bleakness and 5 for melancholy, against 2 for hopefulness.

Is Elite Squad plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (9 of 10) and dialogue centrality (8 of 10) more than on its plot.

Was Elite Squad a box office hit?

Budget$4 million
Box office$15 million

Yes: it cost about $4 million to make and earned $15 million worldwide, 3.7 times its budget.

Is Elite Squad in English?

Portuguese

No, it was made in Portuguese.