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Avg. Critic Score: 60 out of 100 Generally favorable reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
15 Iffy for 15+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 80
    The Hollywood Reporter | Kirk Honeycutt

    The film is a genuinely gripping tale about international terrorism that hopscotches across three continents. Read full review

  • 75
    Boston Globe | Ty Burr

    The film's a propulsive international espionage thriller, built on the hurry-scurry bones of the "Bourne" movies. Read full review

  • 75
    Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert

    The movie proceeds quickly, seems to know its subject matter, is fascinating in its portrait of the inner politics and structure of the terrorist group, and comes uncomfortably close to reality. But what holds it together is the Cheadle character. Read full review

  • 70
    The New York Times | A.O. Scott

    A somber, absorbing and only moderately preposterous new thriller. Read full review

  • 63
    USA Today | Claudia Puig

    Can't seem to decide whether it wants to be an edge-of-the-seat action thriller or a more contemplative and intellectual drama about religion and terrorism. Somehow, in trying to have it both ways, it doesn't completely succeed at either. Read full review

  • 60
    Variety | Todd McCarthy

    Brandishes physical verisimilitude and intelligent seriousness but proves unable to really get inside its chameleon-like central character. Read full review

  • 50
    Wall Street Journal |

    Ultimately, Traitor is a movie at war with itself. Read full review

  • 50
    San Francisco Chronicle |

    The film is stylishly shot, although the current action-movie look might be dated in a few years. Read full review

  • 50
    Entertainment Weekly | Lisa Schwarzbaum

    A slippery entertainment that's all feints and few punches thrown at a fight card of indistinguishable terrorists, Muslim and otherwise. Read full review

  • 50
    Washington Post | Philip Kennicott

    Traitor traffics in the cliches of the terrorist chase film -- including the usual stereotypes of Muslims -- while trying not to succumb to outright bigotry. Read full review

View more reviews for Traitor on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says Iffy for 15+ Uneven political thriller mixes faith, terrorism.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that this adult thriller revolves around lofty ideas and mature themes (including faith and terrorism) that may not interest kids, or even teens. The violence -- of which there's a fair amount, including an embassy bombing and gunfire that leads to bloodshed -- and discussions about terrorism might be upsetting to younger viewers. There's also some swearing, smoking, and drinking. All of that said, the main character seems like a man who struggles as much as he can to be true to his faith, and watching him navigate this quagmire is actually quite thought-provoking.
  • Families can talk about how the movie deals with both faith and terrorism. Can the two co-exist? What messages does the movie send about that relationship? Families can also discuss Samir's decision to join a group whose activities might run counter to his religious beliefs. Why does he take it on? How is he affected by the experience? Is this movie different from other political thrillers? If so, how?
The good stuff
  • message true0 Positive messages: An American man deals arms to his country's enemies and later appears to have joined a group whose mission is to hurt the United States. A trail of bloodshed metaphorically follows most scenes, though as viewers get to know the main players in the story, it's clear that their beliefs are being tested somewhat. There are glimpses of friends taking care of each other, even in prison.
What to watch for
  • violence false4 Violence: An embassy bombing kills a handful of people (a man is shown planting the bomb); blasts of gunfire sometimes result in bloodshed. Lots of discussion about ways to sabotage the stability of the American people. Beat downs in a prison yard; a man is thrown off an overpass; and more.
  • sex false1 Sex: The lead character has a girlfriend, though they aren't seen in any embraces or clinches; mild joke about virgins.
  • language false3 Language: A few uses of "f--k," as well as "s--t" and "damn." Not prevalent overall.
  • consumerism false2 Consumerism: Nothing too glaring --- just logos for subway stations, GMC SUVs, and a few other products.
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false2 Drinking, drugs and smoking: Some smoking and drinking in social situations.
An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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