Know Your Enemy (2019) Poster

(II) (2019)

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5/10
Mesmerizing.
harriscalvin-111 December 2019
Know your enemy was truly a mesmerizing film. After getting cut off in traffic by a female real estate agent, a desperate man finds himself in the driveway of her home. After he's confronted by her boyfriend, he decides to hold them both hostage. This film has great storytelling, with great visuals & sound. The editing was spot on & the actors were on point. This is a must see film. A fantastic thriller.
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2/10
Lamentable
Call-Me-Mr-Smith11 September 2019
One of the Prime+IMDB suckers who believed in high score this movie got (6.2 at the time this review was generated). I don't share a dislike some viewers expressed after watching only 15 minutes of it. This is a useful exercise covering a relevant topic. Acting was adequate, and I'd say the lead actor was even better than that. Everything else was static, completely dialog driven, with modest development as the film progressed. All in all, quite a fair movie, with the impression utterly spoiled by fake reviews and upvoting. Had the people in charge of this gave the movie a chance to live on its own in the movie world and fare what it deserves, the score would be higher. But they didn't, thus, from me only 2/10.
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Truly taut thriller
Phil_Chester19 July 2019
A very clever dramatic thriller that makes brilliant use of its limited locations and scope. The film features some wonderfully taut writing and the unknown cast are excellent all round, making the film really zing. Definitely worth a look. Recommended.
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1/10
Wow, so ridiculously bad
kristinesklarz14 August 2019
Don't waste your time. I kept watching because of the good reviews. Those giving this a good rating are obviously paid or part of making this god-awful movie. I just kept thinking while watching "this would never happen" and "this is so stupid". You have been warned
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8/10
Not your predictable thriller
voitekpendrak14 July 2019
I'm a big skeptic when it comes to the indie productions and have a tendency to look for the faults. I was in for quite a surprise how well this film is done. A big applause goes to the script writer. The story is everything in a film and here I was in for few twists I didn't expect. This film has only 3 characters and they are all just talking. On top of that, there's no music. A lot of films would go down the boredom lane with this setup after first 15 minutes but this one keeps you interested to the end. Nice work!
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1/10
Turned it off right away
toddg-473-2898189 September 2019
Usually I try to give movies a chance, even low budget ones you find on Prime. But the main characters were so immediately annoying, that I turned the movie off and looked for something else to watch.
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9/10
Gritty home invasion film
jason-scepter14 October 2019
Know Your Enemy is about a Middle Eastern man who goes crazy after being cut-off while driving. His rage goes beyond the moment as he seeks to make the people in the car who cut him off pay. He follows the couple in the car to their home, where he confronts them. With a gun. Great indie film.
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1/10
I agree with the last review!
dizznmo24 August 2019
I have only made it about 15 minutes in, it's really bad! Boyfriend confronts guy in car in their driveway, brings him in at gunpoint, sits him down with the girl and finds the duck tape in the first drawer he opens! If I had a gun pointed at me I would be scared to death but the couple just seem mildly annoyed. Don't waste your time for sure!!
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8/10
Tense and Captivating
kjs114429 September 2019
Know Your Enemy is a fantastic drama triggered by a road rage incident. The story is very well written, and keeps the viewer's attention throughout the entire runtime. The twists and turns will make you think and it will challenge you. I really liked the use of flashback. The camerawork is smooth and stylish. Great direction also. And of course, the actors give understated, powerful performances. Check it out!
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8/10
Does a lot with a little!
AKamp7920 August 2019
When a road rage incident turns into a home invasion, 2 cultures clash in a tense, psychological drama. I love films that do a lot with very little. And this film is a great example! With minimal cast & locations, the filmmakers manage to create an intelligent, suspenseful film that keeps you glued to the screen.
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9/10
Intense thriller in a very confined space
jblockbuster2 July 2019
The film started off with me thinking this is a sort of cliche hostage type thriller, using race related stereotypes. However, I was then dragged into the story of the main characters, who's acting is simply magnificent.

We are almost the entire film in one location. The confined space helps to even drag us further into the lives of the protagonists. Slowly their story enfolds, cultural clashes intensify the conflict. I won't go any further, otherwise I'd spoil it :) But I think this is definitely worth watching!
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10/10
Very good story! Farshad Farahat is a hunk!
jtomlinson-482047 September 2019
I think this guy is a real up and comer. He really gets the sensitive side of acting. I really enjoyed watching him so much. Despite being the more temperamental one, the female lead, Nora-Jane Noone, played a great straight man opposite him. I think they both did a great job of delivering a very poignant message because every day any of us is faced with the opportunity to misjudge people, get sucked into road rage or just not look deeper or further than our hand in front of our face , so to say. I won't issue a spoiler. I will say it was maybe the correct ending, but not the one I wanted. One of the miracles of this is it seemed to convey a deeper story than most huge budget films while being a low budget film, which is fantastic for the modern day art of sharing a story that could make a difference. It's sorta funny, but I could almost see these 2 actors switching it up and doing a Lucy and Ricky movie for us! I'd see it! I have for years wanted to see Esai Morales and Deborah Messing do it!
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8/10
Goes Deep
debijohess20 August 2019
This film gets deep and gritty. The premise of a middle eastern man cut off in traffic and following the Caucasians home to confront them is just the beginning of a telling unraveling of intricacies that make up the plot points of this well produced filmed indie. I was very impressed with how the director prevented the basically one location story not to get dull or boring but keeps the viewer engaged the whole way through. With even a surprise twist of sorts. Well done to all cast and crew. Give it a watch and see indie filmmaking at it's finest.
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10/10
Outstanding acting and directing
Ink78918 August 2019
A rare single-location-type indie film that really moves. Farshad Farahat is exceptional- grounded, engaging, and never a moment when I didn't believe his performance. It reflects incredibly well not just on the lead actor, but on the director and filmmakers. Challenges stereotypes, examines class/privilege, and raises lots of great questions. Really well done!
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9/10
Been there!
Graham-joey23 July 2019
This was excellent all around. First of all, the premise of someone getting cut-off in traffic and then deciding to invade someone's home and hold them at gun-point...BEEN THERE. The look of the film is great and well above the standards of some of today's indie films. Manages to make a "bottle episode" style film feel much more cinematic than you'd think possible. The REAL REASON you are here though is for the story and acting. The two leads are wonderful, and the way they delicately play off of each character's psychosis and racial/class biases works perfectly in most respects. You spend a lot of the time going back and forth on who's side you are on as the movie balances out them both in equal measure.

Highly recommend if you're into nuanced indie drama!
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10/10
Smartly Written Movie
davehollisusa15 June 2019
This is a smartly written and timely move that makes us take a closer look at ourselves. There is good balance in the emotions and thought patterns the characters portray. I liked this movie!
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9/10
Very Interesting Film!
JGReviews2 July 2019
Know Your Enemy is a tense, suspenseful revenge/home-invasion thriller. When a Middle-Eastern man is cut off while driving, it triggers him into invading the home of Chantal and Daniel (a white couple) to teach them a lesson. What ensues is a complicated story progression that deals directly with racial tensions, but keeps you surprised as to where the multifaceted story is headed. This was a challenging undertaking by director Randy Feldman due to the subject matter, but the film was very well crafted by Feldman and his team and is a remarkable achievement for an indie film. The cinematography and acting is quite good throughout the film. I'd highly recommend Know Your Enemy to anyone looking for a good film to watch!
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10/10
Gripping and Powerful
mentalrev17 June 2019
The premise of this film requires a deft touch by the filmmaker and gripping deep performances by the actors, I must say that I was left very impressed in both arenas. All three of the lead actors were outstanding, but the relationship that built between Chantel as played by Nora-Jane Noone and and "the Intruder" (I don't want to give away his name as it's central to the plot) played by Farshad Farahat was absolutely riveting. Truly tour-de-force.

The subtle motion and pace of the cinematography raises and lowers the tension in waves, keeps what is almost a single location film visually intriguing, all while staying out of the way of the performance.

I entered this movie a bit wary that this was going to be a stereotypical representation of a middle eastern man, but that was not my experience at all. The characters are all very we fleshed out and honest. I don't want to give away too much, so I'll end with: You should ABSOLUTELY watch this film.
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9/10
Such a good film
craigahrens17 June 2019
I really enjoyed this film. Such great acting. The acting was so good I lost sight of the fact there were principally only two actors the majority of the film. Terrific story line, well written. The Director did a wonderful job in telling the story at a good pace. You would think the story would drag with such a small cast but it did not. Bravo to all! A thumbs up from me!
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9/10
Fantastic Film
bohemianpirate-871-38348724 October 2019
Know Your Enemy is an excellent film. I was immediately drawn into the story because I found the simple premise of someone getting cut off in traffic and then followed home something that could easily happen in today's world. The two lead actors were natural and honest in their performances and I thought the directing was deft and kept the tensions high in this tightly woven indie. Surprising and original, this film completely worth the watch. Highly Recommend!
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8/10
Malt shop
jfk105318 June 2019
The film is a three character piece about a Middle Eastern man who invades the home of a young, affluent couple as a result of a road rage incident. What follows is a tense (and even sometimes humorous) exploration of the motivations, preconceptions and misconceptions of the characters.
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8/10
Intense psychological thriller
cbax12319 August 2019
This is a one location psychological suspense that keeps escalating in tension as the movie progresses. The filmmaker does a great job of revealing information while simultaneously having the characters emotionally arc. Making the choice to have it all in one location plays really well for the tension as it adds a layer of claustrophobia. The movie doesn't quite go where you think it will and that I all for the better as the characters and story unfold into a much more complex version of what we would normally expect.
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9/10
Terrifically tense and thought provoking
Anmer9327 July 2019
This is a terrific, tense and thrilling experience. Set all in one location this thought provoking take on the home invasion genre is a breath of fresh air. The script is excellent, the performances are stellar and the chemistry is undeniable. Really superb, add to watchlist now!
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9/10
Fantastic
lamarof96 August 2019
I want to write this good when I grow up... oh I'm 50 ... to late. πŸ‘πŸΌπŸ‘πŸΌπŸ‘πŸΌ
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10/10
Terrific Culture Clash Film
TheAll-SeeingI17 June 2019
N Know Your Enemy, Randy Feldman astutely identifies a thread within our cultural cluelessness as a potentially ripe storytelling premise, then proceeds to convert it into a deeply layered and massively entertaining kidnapping jaunt.

After being flippantly cut off while driving, an aggrieved man of Middle Eastern background stages a home invasion to teach the most caucasian couple ever (Chantal and Daniel!) a cultural lesson in what drives people who aren't necessarily named Chantal and Daniel. His preferred teaching methodology finds his own dissertations taking a back seat to his attempts to elicit confessions of overt racism from our couple. Of course, he's holding a gun as he's leading this workshop, so his is a lesson best learned quickly and in full.

Since the psychological drivers of varying non-white populations aren't much bothered with on the nightly news, Feldman moves in and fills the gap, knocking it out of the park in the process. I know what you're thinking, but don't preemptively dismiss this film on the notion you might be fed a sour meal of moralizing, as the screenwriting here is far too sharp and its writer far too aware to allow our tale to fall into junior varsity, cheeseball traps. Packed with depth and technically executed at an elite level on all fronts (the acting is superb across the board), Know Your Enemy is cerebral-minded suspense for the aware and the ignorant alike.
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