Enemies of the State
IFC Films | Release Date: July 30, 2021 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
74
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Critic Reviews
Positive:
10
Mixed:
3
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
83
The A.V. ClubMike D'AngeloAug 1, 2021
Over time, its perspective subtly mutates, even as its methodology remains exactly the same. Read full review
90
Los Angeles TimesRobert AbeleAug 1, 2021
Kennebeck’s handling of the labyrinthine narrative is commendable, particularly since the realigning she needs to do in the final act requires a deft touch, like changing the flavor of a dish already prepped, spiced and cooked. Read full review
50
RogerEbert.comBrian TallericoJul 30, 2021
Sonia Kennebeck’s Enemies of the State spirals and swirls in a way that’s meant to enhance the “isn’t this crazy” aspect of its true story, but its filmmaking tricks have become cliched in the era of True Crime obsession. Read full review
40
Austin ChronicleJenny NulfJul 29, 2021
Enemies of the State fumbles along like a bad thriller, with shocking turns that land with a dull thud. Read full review
90
The New York TimesBen KenigsbergJul 29, 2021
Kennebeck weaves uncertainty into the formal design, staging re-enactments mingled with original audio, for instance. The movie is a spoiler deathtrap, but the questions it raises are fascinating. Read full review
75
Slant MagazineChris BarsantiJul 26, 2021
The film’s concession to the fungible nature of presented reality comes across not as indecisive but courageous. Read full review
60
Film ThreatHanna B.Jul 8, 2021
One cannot deny that the director provides all the clues possible, while still leaving it to the viewers to decide if this is a film, as one of the many lawyers featured mentioned, about “people being paranoid or is the system really out there to get them.” Read full review
83
The Film StageJared MobarakSep 15, 2020
Its in-depth dissection of what the concept of “truth” has become in an age of blindly devoted acolytes spreading information faster than it can be confirmed. Read full review
67
IndieWireEric KohnSep 15, 2020
The movie walks a jagged line between conflicting sources, and overplays some of the more outrageous claims to the detriment of the trenchant investigation at its core. However, Kennebeck still musters a fascinating and provocative study of today’s misinformation age simply by adopting its elusive terms. Read full review
75
The PlaylistJason BaileySep 15, 2020
Enemies of the State is powered by a sense of momentum – it’s a story filled with unexpected twists and turns, and not just in terms of “plotting.” Kennebeck finds herself wrestling with the prickly proposition of unraveling where, exactly, the truth lies; it’s the job of any good documentary filmmaker, of course, but in this particular case, it’s a journey of discoveries and often disturbing ones. Read full review
90
Screen DailyAllan HunterSep 15, 2020
This is a documentary that carefully, meticulously builds a case and then blindsides the viewer with revelations, second thoughts and fresh evidence that makes you reconsider everything you thought was certain. Read full review
85
TheWrapAlonso DuraldeSep 15, 2020
Enemies of the State is a chilling watch, both for what it contemplates and for the internal path that each viewer will take while experiencing it. That some will come away from the film unwilling to accept its conclusions merely proves the film’s point. Read full review
70
VarietyTomris LafflySep 15, 2020
While Enemies of the State does not necessarily provide all the answers, it sneakily sharpens your analytical radar by its haunting end. And in today’s conspiracy-theory-fueled world, that just might be everything. Read full review
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