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The Dictator
The Dictator Image
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Metascore
58 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 41 Critics What's this?

User Score
6.5 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 104 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Anna Faris, Ben Kingsley, John C. Reilly, Sacha Baron Cohen
  • Summary: The film tells the heroic story of a dictator who risked his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed. It is inspired by the best selling novel "Zabibah and The King" by Saddam Hussein. (Paramount Pictures)

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 41
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 41
  3. Negative: 4 out of 41
  1. Movieline
    Reviewed by: Stephanie Zacharek
    May 15, 2012
    85
    The Dictator, for all its liberal leanings, doesn't let anyone off the hook, not even well-intentioned liberals. Cohen comes right out and says things that most of us, in polite conversation, wouldn't dare. He knows it's the impolite conversation that really gets things moving.
  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Betsy Sharkey
    May 15, 2012
    60
    By turns hysterical, heretical, guilty, innocent, silly, sophisticated, teasing and tedious.
  3. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Rene Rodriguez
    May 14, 2012
    38
    The latest collaboration between Cohen and director Larry Charles proves the formula they created with "Borat" and then started to milk dry with "Brüno" has finally run out of juice. Time to move on, guys.

See all 41 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 44
  3. Negative: 12 out of 44
  1. Mattyice
    7
    Very funny and a good job by SBC/Aladeen. There were no truly dull parts of the movie. Always funny, no dull parts, an unpredictable ending. The movie was a little too short though. Much better than Bruno, but worse than Borat. If you like a good comedy, see this movie.… Expand
    • 2 of 2 users said yes
  2. L4DLegend91
    5
    If you go into The Dictator expecting much, you're going to get absolutely nothing out of it. However, if you go knowing it's not going to be a great comedy, or even a good comedy, then you'll end up somewhat enjoying it. The movie has its moments, but it's not one after the other kind of hilarity. Sacha Baron Cohen is a guy who likes to make movies on a lot of controversial stuff, and he does so again, making mention to things like Bin Laden and 9/11, but it still ends up being funny. Serviceable comedy, nothing great. Anchorman 2 teaser however, it's gonna make you cream.… Expand
    • 4 of 7 users said yes
  3. ZenRobot
    3
    I saw this in the theater today, well the 30 opening minutes at least. they were bad enough for me to walk out. and i never walk out of movies. Loved Borat and thought Bruno was okay. But this is no good. The jokes were all either very simple or very stupid. Before this review gets too scathing i'm just gonna end here by saying: don't see it, or see it on video later.… Expand
    • 7 of 12 users said yes

See all 44 User Reviews

Trailers

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Showtimes

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Regal Gallery Place Stadium 14 Washington
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AMC Tysons Corner 16 West McLean
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AMC Magic Johnson Capital Center 12 Largo
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Regal Ballston Common Stadium 12 Arlington
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