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The Reluctant Fundamentalist

Play trailer Poster for The Reluctant Fundamentalist R 2013 2h 8m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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56% Tomatometer 99 Reviews 61% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
In New York, a Pakistani native (Riz Ahmed) finds that his American Dream has collapsed in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

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The Reluctant Fundamentalist

The Reluctant Fundamentalist

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Critics Consensus

The Reluctant Fundamentalist is technically proficient, with solid acting and cinematography, but its message is so ambitious and heavy-handed that some of its power is robbed.

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Critics Reviews

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Shubhra Gupta The Indian Express Mar 20, 2019
3/5
The film could have done with more finesse in the way it begins and ends, but there are enough subtle shifts in the main act to keep me with it. After Monsoon Wedding and The Namesake, The Reluctant Fundamentalist is [Mira] Nair's most engaging work. Go to Full Review Larushka Ivan-Zadeh metro.co.uk Sep 5, 2017
3/5
Every new revelation is signposted so heavily, you can almost hear the hammer blows. Go to Full Review Meredith Slifkin Film Comment Magazine Jun 14, 2013
The film seems to dance around the idea of being really critical of America-of analogizing American "exceptionalism" with Islamic fundamentalism-and instead resolves itself with an ending more befitting of a beauty pageant contestant's speech. Go to Full Review Rose Ho The Asian Cut Jul 23, 2025
3/5
The film has a thought-provoking perspective and admirable goal of portraying what it was like for Muslims living in America during the aftermath of 9/11, but the somewhat clunky and stuffed script hinders the message. Go to Full Review Anna M.M. Vetticad annavetticadgoes2themovies Jan 15, 2023
3.5
The Reluctant Fundamentalist is not in the league of Nair’s best films, Salaam Bombay and Monsoon Wedding, but it’s thoughtful and thought-provoking all the same. For that and for Riz Ahmed, it’s definitely worth a watch. Go to Full Review Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) Oct 7, 2020
2.5/5
This drab political thriller is not unlike a relaunched brand of margarine. The creators obviously have the best of intentions, but cannot avoid the blandest of outcomes. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Faiz D @RT95588871 May 13, 2025 I thought the movie was just fine. Great soundtrack though. See more Mar 21, 2022 Good story telling.​ A​ little​ Exciting.​ Real. See more May 30, 2021 I think this is probably a good movie. The cast is impressive. I just couldn't tolerate more than about 10 minutes of it, because the audio was horrible. I could barely make out what the characters were saying. Very hollow sound. Other reviewers seem not to have had the same problem. I watched it on Xfnitity streaming, I have never had this issue with any other movie on this platform. See more Mar 24, 2019 Emotion, perspective, worth watching See more Feb 20, 2019 It’s a very powerful movie with a good story and message. Unfortunately though the movie does suffer from pacing problems and narrative issues. Performances are decent but the movie wasn’t really as thrilling as it’s marketed to be. Still it’s a good movie worth watching for the subject matter alone. See more Feb 20, 2019 It’s a very powerful movie with a good story and message. Unfortunately though the movie does suffer from pacing problems and narrative issues. Performances are decent but the movie wasn’t really as thrilling as it’s marketed to be. Still it’s a good movie worth watching for the subject matter alone. See more Read all reviews
The Reluctant Fundamentalist

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Cast & Crew

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Mira Nair

Director

Riz Ahmed

Changez

Liev Schreiber

Bobby Lincoln

Kate Hudson

Erica

Kiefer Sutherland

Jim Cross

Om Puri

Abu

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The Reluctant Fundamentalist

The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2012) (L-R) Kiefer Sutherland as Jim Cross and Riz Ahmed as Changez in "The Reluctant Fundamentalist." (L-R) Riz Ahmed as Changez and Liev Schreiber as Bobby Lincoln in "The Reluctant Fundamentalist." (L-R) Kiefer Sutherland as Jim Cross and Riz Ahmed as Changez in "The Reluctant Fundamentalist." Riz Ahmed as Changez and Kate Hudson as Erica in "The Reluctant Fundamentalist." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In New York, a Pakistani native (Riz Ahmed) finds that his American Dream has collapsed in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Director
Mira Nair
Producer
Lydia Dean Pilcher
Screenwriter
William Wheeler
Distributor
IFC Films
Production Co
Cine Mosaic, The Mirabai Films, Doha Film Institute
Rating
R (Language|Brief Sexuality|Some Violence)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 26, 2013, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 5, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$519.5K
Runtime
2h 8m
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