Common Sense Media Review
By Alistair Lawrence
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Graphic violence and language in Brazilian crime sequel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Elite Squad 2: The Enemy Within
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
ELITE SQUAD 2: THE ENEMY WITHIN follows troubled senior security officer Roberto Nascimento (Wagner Moura) into a violent political battle.
Is It Any Good?
Moura returns as senior security officer Nascimento in this chaotic, knotty sequel, which was a critical and commercial smash in its native Brazil. Whereas the original Elite Squad movie was heavily restructured to put Moura's flawed and temperamental lawman front and center, Elite Squad 2: The Enemy Within benefits from what appears to be clearer planning. However, it is still a noisy, messy movie that occasionally threatens to drown under waves of violent confrontations. Thankfully, Moura proves again that he is a dependable lead, capable of anchoring every scene that he's in. Nascimento's personal and professional lives collide to devastating effect, while the filmmakers' inclusion of a dogged but doomed journalist character (Tainá Müller) only amplifies their disdain for the corruption observed at the upper levels of Brazilian society. Some storylines are arguably a little too closely intertwined, such Nascimento's ex-wife (Maria Ribeiro) marrying human rights activist Fraga (Irandhir Santos), with whom he already has an uneasy relationship, but the movie's energy and ambition make it hard to look away, which is surely the point.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Elite Squad 2: The Enemy Within. 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 themes explored in the movie, such as police violence and political corruption. What do you think the filmmakers' were trying to say about these topics?
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?
Have you seen the first film? If so, how did this one compare? What makes a good sequel?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 11, 2011
- On DVD or streaming : February 14, 2012
- Cast : Wagner Moura , Irandhir Santos , André Ramiro
- 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 : Variance Films
- Genre : Thriller
- Run time : 115 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : May 12, 2026
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