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Celluloid
ActionCrime Berlinale 2008 · Golden Bear

Elite Squad

Directed by José Padilha · 2007 ·

Short answer

Is Elite Squad worth watching?

Yes. Elite Squad (2007) earns a 62% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audiences (89%) responded more warmly than critics (54%). See the 4 inputs.

62%
Celluloid Score Recommended

4-input transparent breakdown

54% Editorial Rating
89% Audience snapshot · excluded
33 Metascore
★★★★☆ Letterboxd 4
8 IMDb /10
0
Watch Trailer
Released
Runtime
1h 55m
Age rating
R (US) · 18 (UK) · MA 15+ (Australia) · M18 (Singapore)
Cast
Wagner Moura , Caio Junqueira , André Ramiro
Streaming
BFI Player
Country
Brazil
Language
Portuguese

Also known as Tropa de Elite Tropa de Élite Troupe d'Élite エリート・スクワッド 엘리트 스쿼드 精英部队 精銳部隊 Özel Tim

Where to watch

  • BFI Player

Rent: Amazon Video, Google Play, YouTube

Buy: Amazon Video, Google Play, YouTube

Where to watch Elite Squad by country

Country Streaming on
Malaysia Lionsgate Play
United States BFI Player

Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.

Why this score?

  • Celluloid's editorial rating is reserved (54/100).
  • General viewers mostly liked it (89%).
  • Letterboxd diarists rate it highly (4/5).
  • IMDb users score it 8/10.
  • Celluloid Score 62% combines 4 rating inputs; audience sentiment is shown separately. Consult the source notes for verification dates where recorded.

Best for

  • Crowd-pleaser seekers — audiences liked it more than critics

Not ideal for

  • Viewers who only watch top-tier, 90%+ rated films

Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy

Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.

Is Elite Squad worth watching?

Yes — Elite Squad earns a 62% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits crowd-pleaser seekers — audiences liked it more than critics, but viewers who only watch top-tier, 90%+ rated films may want to skip it. Read our full review (4.5/5).

Celluloid verdict

Padilha's controversial hit exposed Brazil's police violence to record domestic audiences.

, Founder & Editor

Audiences (89%) responded more warmly than critics (54%).

What is Elite Squad about?

A captain in Rio's BOPE special forces prepares for promotion while planning a raid to clear a favela before the Pope's visit.

Watch the Trailer

Critic Reviews

Short review 4 min read English Elite Squad

Elite Squad (2007) Review: Police War Without Heroes

Elite Squad is José Padilha's ferocious Brazilian police thriller about Rio's BOPE unit. Gripping, brutal and still hotly debated, it is essential crime cinema.

Yes. It is a gripping, provocative crime film for adults who can handle intense violence and a narrator whose worldview the film invites you to question.

Kaiser Khan Founder & Editor

Elite Squad stills

Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.

Elite Squad production still 1
Elite Squad production still 2
Elite Squad production still 3
Elite Squad production still 4
Elite Squad production still 5
Elite Squad production still 6

Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.

Reader takes

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Elite Squad: frequently asked questions

Is Elite Squad worth watching?

Yes. Elite Squad (2007) has a Celluloid Score of 62%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.

Where can I watch Elite Squad?

In the United States, Elite Squad streams on BFI Player with a subscription, and you can rent it from Amazon Video, Google Play, YouTube or buy it from Amazon Video, Google Play, YouTube. Elsewhere: Lionsgate Play in Malaysia. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.

How long is Elite Squad?

Elite Squad runs 1 hour 55 minutes (115 minutes).

What is Elite Squad rated?

Elite Squad is rated R in the United States, 18 in the UK, MA 15+ in Australia and M18 in Singapore. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.

Who stars in Elite Squad?

Elite Squad is directed by José Padilha and stars Wagner Moura, Caio Junqueira, André Ramiro.

What is the Metascore for Elite Squad?

Metacritic's Metascore for Elite Squad is 33 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.

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