Ha-shoter 2011

Critics score:
65 / 100

Reviews provided by RottenTomatoes

Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly: The slow-building import nicely captures the macho, band-of-brothers bond. But that's the only spark this otherwise chilly and remote film has to offer. Read more

Ben Kenigsberg, AV Club: Policeman creates contrasts between families and surrogate families; patriarchy and maternity; truth and fiction; and sanctioned and unsanctioned aggression. Read more

Todd McCarthy, Hollywood Reporter: A boldly conceived and bracingly told political drama. Read more

Richard Brody, New Yorker: Lapid's workmanlike direction illustrates his airless script efficiently, and sometimes engagingly, but unimaginatively. He has something to say; he shows very little. Read more

Manohla Dargis, New York Times: Mr. Lapid, making an electrifying feature directing debut, traces the line between the group and the individual in a story that can be read as a commentary on the world as much as on Israel. Read more

David Jenkins, Time Out: The film asks if we really know our enemy and it's an idea that's hit home with force in the deeply troubling final shot. Read more

Alissa Simon, Variety: Fascinating but uneven. Read more

Michael Nordine, Village Voice: Nadav Lapid's Policeman deftly examines the physical and spiritual fallout of ideology turning into action. Read more