IMDb 7.3 2016 HD

Snowden

Snowden

2016
Crime Drama History Thriller
135 min R USA
7.106 / 10
7.3 IMDB

CIA employee Edward Snowden leaks thousands of classified documents to the press.

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Oliver Stone / Jan Birka
Starring
Joseph Gordon-Levitt / Shailene Woodley / Melissa Leo / Zachary Quinto / Tom Wilkinson / Scott Eastwood / Timothy Olyphant / Ben Schnetzer

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

intriguing thought-provoking tense informative complex controversial moral political dramatic compelling earnest grounded

Reviews

I
Isabelle Dubois
Apr 17, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

In 'Snowden', Joseph Gordon-Levitt delivers a compelling performance as the titular whistleblower, capturing the internal conflict and moral fortitude that defined his actions. Oliver Stone guides the audience through the intricate world of intelligence and surveillance with a…

L
Liam O'Connell
Apr 17, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s transformation into Edward Snowden is a significant strength in this biographical drama. He effectively portrays the intelligence contractor's disillusionment with the scale of government surveillance he witnesses. The film, directed by Oliver Stone, charts Snowden's path…

C
Chloe Davison
Apr 17, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

The story of Edward Snowden is undeniably potent, and this film attempts to capture its seismic impact. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is commendable as the conflicted protagonist, conveying a sense of quiet desperation as he uncovers the vast surveillance apparatus.…

M
Marcus Bellweather
Apr 17, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

Oliver Stone directs 'Snowden' with a familiar urgency, crafting a compelling narrative around the man who exposed global surveillance. Joseph Gordon-Levitt delivers a nuanced performance, embodying Snowden's intellectual rigour and moral awakening. The film effectively builds tension as…

E
Eleanor Vance
Apr 17, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

Joseph Gordon-Levitt steps into the shoes of Edward Snowden with a quiet intensity that anchors Oliver Stone's dramatisation of the notorious whistleblower's story. The film navigates the complex technical and ethical terrain of mass surveillance, presenting Snowden's journey…

FAQs

The thousands of classified documents leaked by Edward Snowden revealed the extensive global surveillance operations conducted by intelligence agencies. These leaks exposed the breadth and depth of government monitoring programmes, including the collection of metadata and communications from ordinary citizens worldwide. The information provided by these documents sparked widespread debate about privacy rights, government accountability, and the ethical use of technology for surveillance purposes.