The Dissident
Performance & Direction: The Dissident Review
Last updated: January 23, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Dissident (2020) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.2/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Documentary.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Documentary is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Dissident features a noteworthy lineup led by Jamal Khashoggi . Supported by the likes of Omar Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman al Saud , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Dissident (2020) is overwhelmingly positive. With an audience rating of 7.2/10, it stands as a mandatory watch for any serious cinema lover.
Story & Plot Summary: The Dissident
Quick Plot Summary: The Dissident is a Documentary film that presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The film presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. When Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi disappears after entering Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul, his fiancée and dissidents around the world are left to piece together the clues to a brutal murder and expose a global cover up perpetrated by the very country he loved. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The film establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Ending Explained: The Dissident
Ending Breakdown: The Dissident resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to documentary resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the documentary themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Dissident reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Dissident?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Documentary films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Dissident
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $57.0K |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Top Cast: The Dissident
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Where to Watch The Dissident Online?
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VI movies and tvThe Dissident Parents Guide & Age Rating
2020 AdvisoryWondering about The Dissident age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Dissident is 119 minutes (1h 59m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 7.2/10, and global collection metrics, The Dissident stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2020 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Dissident worth watching?
The Dissident is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Documentary movies. It has a verified rating of 7.2/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Dissident parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Dissident identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Dissident?
The total duration of The Dissident is 119 minutes, which is approximately 1h 59m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Dissident
The grisly murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and the subsequent cover-up by the Saudi government is explored in “The Dissident,” a complex and detailed documentary from director Bryan Fogel. Through CCTV footage, social media history, interviews with Jamal’s family and friends, and unprecedented access to video evidence from Turkish police, the film gives an insider look at the why and how of the crime. Fogel includes such a large volume of information in his documentary that it feels unfocused, as he tries to tackle too much in one sitting. Khashoggi was outspoken about his homeland of Saudi Arabia, and the government didn’t take to kindly to what they saw as his rebellious ideas for reform. The journalist was never afraid to speak his mind despite the cyber attacks, threats, and dangers he faced for doing so. He ultimately sacrificed everything for his freedom of speech. The lengths at which those in power in the Saudi government would go to silence dissidents is shocking and frightening, including creating a literal social media army to discredit anyone who disagreed. An estimated 80% of Saudis use Twitter, and social media has a high importance to those living in the Kingdom. The film criticizes this censorship of free speech and draws the conclusion that Khashoggi was killed because of it. The documentary jumps around a lot, and the story is all over the place. There’s an arc that follows Jamal’s fiancée Hatice Cengiz and her fight to piece together clues as to what really happened, a woman who is doing all she can to see that justice is served. Another section features interviews with Jamal’s right hand man Omar Abdulaziz about their plan to collaborate on several social media projects. The most intriguing parts of the film, at the risk of sounding totally morbid, is the true crime story. The interviews with Turkish officials are alarming, and that those likely responsible for ordering the murder haven’t been punished is infuriating. I wish “The Dissident” had been tighter overall, and I think a smaller-scale story would’ve made a better movie. But this sprawling tale of the power of technology, tyranny, love, and murder is one that’s intriguing and will leave you furious and ready to take action. By: Louisa Moore
Really well-done film. I saw the news stories but watching this does a good job of making you pause and realize how absolutely crazy it is that a state can just decide to straight murder somebody, and it's not even on their own soil. I agree that it is also insane that the Saudis can just decide to hack the richest man in the world, all with software designed and sold by a company in what's supposed to be a first-rate democracy, Israel. I appreciated that Fogel, while making sure to put his name prominently in the credits, never featured on camera (it's not even clear if he's the one talking in some of the interviews / back-and-forths). I find that sometimes documentary filmmakers can get a bit egotistical and fall prey to grating self-promotion.
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This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.








