Common Sense Media Review
By Alistair Lawrence
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violence, drugs, and language in Brazilian crime thriller.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Elite Squad
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
ELITE SQUAD follows a Brazilian special police squad—led by Captain Roberto Nascimento (Wagner Moura)—as its officers try to clamp down on drug dealers ahead of a papal visit.
Is It Any Good?
Featuring a star-making turn from Moura as Captain Roberto Nascimento, this Brazilian crime thriller proved an international hit upon its release in 2007. Director and co-writer José Padilha adapts the nonfiction book that gives Elite Squad its source material with an unflinching eye as the film portrays the death and destruction wreaked by both Rio de Janeiro's favela drug gangs and its military police. But while the movie evidently succeeded in shining a light on a chaotic aspect of Brazilian culture, its frenetic structure and pacing can be disorienting. Moura's character's voice-over was reportedly added during post-production and adds uneven exposition, skewing what was originally intended to be an ensemble piece about a troubled police captain and two compromised new recruits. A nonlinear timeline doesn't help the scattershot narrative, either, although the main characters' demons and fates are vividly brought to life by its talented cast.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Elite Squad. Did it feel excessive or just right for the tone of the movie? What were the effects of violence on the characters? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Discuss the corruption shown by authority figures in the film. How did this impact how the police officers approached their jobs?
How were drinking, smoking, and drugs portrayed? Were there consequences? Did the film glamorize them? What were some of the different reasons characters became involved with them?
Discuss the strong language used in the movie. Did it seem necessary, or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie? Is a certain level of language expected in a film like this?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 19, 2008
- On DVD or streaming : October 28, 2008
- Cast : Wagner Moura , André Ramiro , Caio Junqueira
- Director : José Padilha
- Inclusion Information : Latino Movie Director(s) , South American Movie Director(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Writer(s) , South American Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : IFC Films
- Genre : Thriller
- Run time : 115 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong violence, pervasive language and drug content
- Last updated : January 29, 2026
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