The Dissident (2020)

Collins gives the documentary a five-star rating, presenting it as a compelling investigation into Khashoggi’s killing and the campaign to suppress the truth. The review highlights Fogel’s attention to the propaganda-driven war on truth and the dissidents working to expose it.

Gleiberman calls the documentary riveting and a moving testament to Khashoggi’s courage. He praises its gripping investigation into the murder and the forces behind it.

McCarthy calls the documentary a first-rate, grimly riveting account of a political tragedy. He praises its vigorous, comprehensive investigation and thriller-like editing for drawing viewers into the evidence.

Macnab finds the documentary dramatic, heart-rending, and clear-sighted. He praises Fogel for turning exhaustive research and abundant material into a compelling account.

Freer finds the documentary a compelling, rigorous investigation and a forceful case for free speech. He especially praises its portrait of Khashoggi as a warm, genial, human figure.

The critic finds the documentary gripping and emotionally devastating. They praise its human focus, especially the intimate details of Khashoggi and Cengiz’s relationship, amid its geopolitical analysis.

The review finds the documentary gripping and says it unfolds with the pace of a thriller. It singles out its investigation into Jamal Khashoggi’s fate and Saudi Arabia’s role.

The critic calls the documentary urgent and essential, while noting that its filmmaking can feel dry and stilted. He praises its clear account of Khashoggi’s death and the broader context of Saudi efforts to silence dissent.

Murray finds the documentary informative and ambitious but ultimately good rather than great. He praises its account of Omar Abdulaziz’s resistance and its broader focus on authoritarian power, while faulting the repetitive retelling and slack pacing.

Bradshaw finds the documentary gripping, forceful and illuminating, even though it reveals little substantially new. He praises its clear, lively account of the evidence and details surrounding Khashoggi’s murder.

Abele finds the documentary’s account of Khashoggi’s murder impactful and important, despite its familiar details. He praises its focus on Omar Abdulaziz and digital surveillance, while faulting the score, editing, and computer animation.

The visible page identifies this as a Sundance review but does not reveal the critic’s verdict. Its standfirst frames the film as an exploration of Jamal Khashoggi’s murder, with no praise or complaint accessible.

The article body is unavailable, so its verdict cannot be determined. No praise or complaint from the critic can be verified.

Ebiri finds the documentary powerful but unfocused, with too many narrative threads and too little attention to Khashoggi himself. He praises the murder investigation as particularly riveting, especially its procedural detail and the Turkish authorities’ outrage.

The critic calls the documentary important and an essential call to action, despite noting some omissions in its portrait of Khashoggi. They praise its clear account of the forces behind his murder and its continuing impact.

The page identifies itself as a review of Bryan Fogel’s The Dissident. Its verdict and specific praise or criticism cannot be determined because the article is blocked.