Taxi to the Dark Side
Taxi to the Dark Side Image
See the trailer
Metascore
82 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 25 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.2 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 23 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Summary: Taxi to the Darkside, the latest prize-winning documentary from Oscar-nominee Alex Gibney, confirms his standing as one of the foremost non-fiction filmmakers working today. A stunning inquiry into the suspicious death of an Afghani taxi driver at Bagram air base in 2002, the film is a fastidiously assembled, uncommonly well-researched examination of how an innocent civilian was apprehended, imprisoned, tortured, and ultimately murdered by the greatest democracy on earth. Intermingling documents and records of the incident with candid testimony from eyewitnesses and participants, the film uncovers an inescapable link between the tragic incidents that unfolded in Bagram and the policies made at the very highest level of the United States government in Washington, D.C. Combining the cool detachment of a forensic expert with the heated indignation of a proud American who holds his country to a high standard, Gibney’s film reveals how the Bush administration has systematically betrayed the very ideals it professes to uphold. (THINKFilm)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    100
    This movie does not describe the America I learned about in civics class, or think of when I pledge allegiance to the flag. Yet I know I will get the usual e-mails accusing me of partisanship, bias, only telling one side, etc. What is the other side? See this movie, and you tell me.
  2. The New Yorker
    Reviewed by: David Denby
    80
    Along with “No End in Sight,” this movie is one of the essential documentaries of the ongoing war.
  3. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: David Edelstein
    80
    It’s the equal of "No End in Sight" in its tight focus on the nuts and bolts of incompetence, and it surpasses any recent melodrama in the empathy it evokes for both its victims and--surprisingly--victimizers.
  4. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: A.O. Scott
    80
    If recent American history is ever going to be discussed with the necessary clarity and ethical rigor, this film will be essential.

See all 25 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. AnthonyS
    10
    This is an incredibly moving documentary. At one point I burst into tears out of shame for my country and sadness for Delawar's death. I would force every supporter of torture to see this film before they attempt to justify such inhumanity.… Collapse
  2. AgathaX
    10
    I did not want to go see this movie, and in truth I spent substantial amounts of time with my eyes hidden. But everyone needs to see this documentary, for the only thing it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing. It was an exquisite and deeply patriotic movie. A call to action.… Expand
  3. ERG1008
    7
    Documentary about a taxi driver from Afghanistan that was captured by the US, taken prisoner & tortured to his death.
    With a subject like this     it's always going to be a rough ride & this film certainly doesn't shy away from anything making it hard-going at points.
    At the same time, it's very well put together, powerful & very interesting.    … Expand
  4. TravisC
    4
    Alex Gibney does a disservice to his previous (and infinitely better) film, "Enron, et al." THIS film ("Taxi") had essentially no point. What -- torture is bad? Duh. Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld are bad? No kidding. A two-hour guilt-trip that I could do without. Go see "Sicko" instead.… Expand

See all 9 User Reviews

Trailers

Related Articles

  1. Movies

    Ranked: The Best and Worst Iraq/Afghanistan War Films

    Ranked: The Best and Worst Iraq/Afghanistan War Films Image
    Published: June 25, 2010
    This week sees the release of the latest big screen look the Afghanistan conflict, "Restrepo." How does the new film compare to previous movies about the two wars? We rank the best and worst.
    More »

Current Movie Releases

Full List »
  1. Star Trek Into Darkness
    Metascore: 72
  2. Iron Man 3
    Metascore: 62
  3. 42
    Metascore: 62
  4. Evil Dead (2013)
    Metascore: 57
  5. The Croods
    Metascore: 55
  6. The Great Gatsby
    Metascore: 54
  7. Oblivion
    Metascore: 54
  8. Pain & Gain
    Metascore: 43
  9. Olympus Has Fallen
    Metascore: 41
  10. G.I. Joe: Retaliation
    Metascore: 41
  11. The Host
    Metascore: 35
  12. Tyler Perry's Temptation
    Metascore: 27
  13. Scary Movie 5
    Metascore: 11
All Current Movies »