The Express Article

ALTHOUGH it won the Grand Jury Prize at Robert Redford's Sundance Fe stival in January, THE BELIEVER seems to have grown more timely and relevant with each passing month of this horror-filled year.

Inspired by true events, it offers a riveting portrait of extremism and self-loathing as it tells the story of Danny, a charismatic, intensely personable young Jewish man.

Danny's doubts, disgust and disappointment with his faith lead him to become a rabid anti-Semite and virulent neo-Nazi.

Intelligently written and directed by Henry Bean, the film really gets under the skin of a character who only feels alive by fully embracing the contradictions of his Hebrew heritage and fearless commitment to an underground fascist movement.

In a film rich with powerful, provocative moments, there is an electrifying scene in which the group is confronted and humbled by Holocaust survivors whose testimony only prompts the angry young man to denounce their passivity and refusal to fight back.

A thought-provoking, human story worth seeing for a star-making performance from Ryan Gosling that deserves an award of its own.

- Tinu Majekodunmiallan Hunter