Elite Squad: The Enemy Within (2011)
93%RT Audience Score: 91%
Awards & Nominations: 45 wins & 19 nominations
Elite Squad 2 is a film that delves deep into the corrupt and complex world of Brazilian society, where violence and bureaucracy go hand in hand. Director Padilha masterfully weaves together a fast-paced and visually stunning documentary-style film that leaves the original in the dust. The action sequences are thrilling, particularly the nighttime ambush and daytime battle against Fabio, and the script is intensely provocative. While the film offers no easy answers, it is clear where Padilha’s sympathies lie, and the title itself is a tip-off. The characters are not flat, but rather complex and urgent, making it clear that violence is not just a matter for academic debate. Overall, Elite Squad 2 is a must-watch for anyone interested in police thrillers and social commentary, and it will leave you gripping your shirtfront in excitement.
Elite Squad 2 is a wild ride that will leave you on the edge of your seat. The action sequences are stunning and the pace is quick, making it impossible to look away. The film’s depiction of corruption in Brazilian society is both urgent and complex, reminding us that violence is more than just an academic debate. While some critics may find fault with the plot and characters, this movie is a must-see for anyone who loves a good police thriller. So grab some popcorn and get ready for a thrilling ride with Elite Squad 2!
Production Company(ies)
Paramount Pictures,
Distributor
Variance Films
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
MPAA / Certificate
Not Rated
Year of Release
2010
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 56m
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Language(s):Portuguese
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Nov 11, 2011 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 14, 2012
Genre(s)
Action
Keyword(s)
starring Wagner Moura, Irandhir Santos, André Ramiro, Pedro Van-Held, Tainá Müller, Maria Ribeiro, directed by José Padilha, written by Bráulio Mantovani, José Padilha, Rodrigo Pimentel, action, Portuguese (Brazil), James D’Arcy, Leonardo Edde, Bráulio Mantovani, Malu Miranda, José Padilha, Marcos Prado, Carlos Eduardo Rodrigues, $100.1K box office, reviewed by Lisa Schwarzbaum, Robert Koehler, Marc Savlov, William Goss, Liam Lacey, Stephen Farber, Yasser Medina, Nicholas Bell, Stephen Saito, Russell Cook, Ignatiy Vishnevetsky, Shawn Levy, corrupt politicians, dirty cops, Brazilian underbelly, favelas, police thriller, Elite Squad: The Enemy Within
Worldwide gross: $63,618,850
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $86,482,607
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,084
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 9,431,037
US/Canada gross: $100,119
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $136,100
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,614
US/Canada opening weekend: $8,648
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $11,756
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,671
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Irandhir Santos – Diogo Fraga
André Ramiro – Captain André Matias
Pedro Van-Held – Rafael
Tainá Müller – Clara
Maria Ribeiro – Rosane
Director(s)
José Padilha
Writer(s)
Bráulio Mantovani, José Padilha, Rodrigo Pimentel
Producer(s)
James D’Arcy, Leonardo Edde, Bráulio Mantovani, Malu Miranda, José Padilha, Marcos Prado, Carlos Eduardo Rodrigues
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
45 wins & 19 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (46) | Top Critics (25) | Fresh (42) | Rotten (4)
The pace is quick, the violence is rough, and the visual style is documentary as Padilha hammers home his point: Someone is forever in the pocket of someone else as The System constantly adapts to protect itself.
January 4, 2012 | Rating: A-
Lisa Schwarzbaum
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
When this Enemy Within settles into key action sequences, such as a stunning nighttime ambush or a daytime battle against Fabio, it becomes wildly entertaining.
January 4, 2012
Robert Koehler
Variety
TOP CRITIC
Padilha’s film offers no easy answers, but the title is a tip off as to where at least his sympathies lie.
December 9, 2011 | Rating: 3/5
Marc Savlov
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
Throttles forward with remarkable aplomb and easily leaves the original in the dust.
December 8, 2011
William Goss
Film.com
TOP CRITIC
Elite Squad is just urgent and complex enough to make it clear violence is more than a matter for academic debate.
December 2, 2011 | Rating: 2.5/4
Liam Lacey
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
A fast-paced, hard-hitting Brazilian police thriller.
December 2, 2011
Stephen Farber
Hollywood Reporter
TOP CRITIC
It is a police film that bores me with its inane plot and the wide collage of flat characters that only works to make a plea about bureaucratic corruption in Brazilian society. [Full review in Spanish]
April 16, 2021 | Rating: 5/10
Yasser Medina
Cinemaficionados
A glossier attempt at a story already told, but worth a look if you were impressed by the first film.
June 27, 2019 | Rating: 2.5/5
Nicholas Bell
IONCINEMA.com
Indeed, Padilha leaves it all on the floor with “Elite Squad: The Enemy Within,” bodies and all, and that’s what makes it thrilling.
January 8, 2019
Stephen Saito
Moveable Fest
Its moments of action, along with its depiction of deeply entrenched social issues and politics, accompanied by an intensely provocative script makes Elite Squad: The Enemy Within a tough, but vital watch.
November 15, 2018 | Rating: 4/5
Russell Cook
CineVue
The entire last half hour is just incredibly disingenuous.
January 4, 2012
Ignatiy Vishnevetsky
Ebert Presents At The Movies
A film that grabs you by the shirtfront and rarely lets up its grip.
December 8, 2011 | Rating: B
Shawn Levy
Oregonian…
Plot
Elite Squad 2 follows Lt. Colonel Nascimento as he battles against dirty cops and corrupt politicians in the Brazilian underbelly.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Wagner Moura, who plays Lt. Colonel Nascimento, delivers a gripping performance in Elite Squad 2.
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