Four Lions

Name: Four Lions
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: November 5, 2010
Duration: 97 min
Rating: 68
Cast: Adeel Akhtar, Riz Ahmed

2010

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 28 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 100 Ratings

See All

7.8

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

7.8	Your Score
7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 100 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Four Lions

Now Playing: Four Lions

Movie Details & Credits

Drafthouse Films | Release Date: November 5, 2010 | R

Starring: Adeel Akhtar, Riz Ahmed

Summary: Four Lions is a whip-smart laugh out loud comedy that illuminates the war on terror through satire and farce. Blitzing the notion that a comedy about jihadists is a contradiction in terms, the film grossed an astounding £3M at the UK box office and was hailed by critics as “a brilliant film – astonishingly funny” causing “so many differentFour Lions is a whip-smart laugh out loud comedy that illuminates the war on terror through satire and farce. Blitzing the notion that a comedy about jihadists is a contradiction in terms, the film grossed an astounding £3M at the UK box office and was hailed by critics as “a brilliant film – astonishingly funny” causing “so many different kinds of laughter its almost incredible”. (Drafthouse Films)… Expand

Director: Christopher Morris

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 97 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Richard Corliss

Nov 13, 2010

What explosive mischief might they create? That's the premise of Morris' brilliantly incendiary new comedy Four Lions. Read full review

Shawn Levy

Nov 11, 2010

A dense, sharp, hilarious and unflinching film about a group of British Muslims who seek to shock the world with an apocalyptic act of jihad but are too dumb, contentious and accident-prone to succeed at anything much more audacious than ringing a doorbell and running. Read full review

Dana Stevens

Nov 12, 2010

The very existence of Four Lions is an act of audacity; the fact that it's also smart, humane, and frequently hilarious is nothing short of a miracle. Read full review

Roger Ebert

Nov 10, 2010

Four Lions is impossible to categorize. It's an exceedingly dark comedy, a wicked satire, a thriller where the thrills center on the incompetence of the villains. Read full review

J.R. Jones

Nov 11, 2010

The comedy divides cleanly into dark, violent slapstick (much of it hilarious) and more routine gags highlighting the fanatical characters' foolishness and incompetence. Read full review

Steven Rea

Nov 4, 2010

When it works - and it doesn't half the time - it's as if Monty Python were back, putting its merrily imbecilic stamp on the dark world of terrorism. Read full review

V.A. Musetto

Nov 5, 2010

If all terrorists were like these idiots, the US would have nothing to worry about. Read full review

SEE ALL 28 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

thefacehead

Aug 7, 2011

A very clever look at how twisted the idea of blowing people up really is. The film is another master stroke for Mr Morris (though I doubt Paul Daniels will agree) who is able to twist the viewpoint of disturbing and uncomfortable subject matter in the faces of those who it will enrage theA very clever look at how twisted the idea of blowing people up really is. The film is another master stroke for Mr Morris (though I doubt Paul Daniels will agree) who is able to twist the viewpoint of disturbing and uncomfortable subject matter in the faces of those who it will enrage the most. With too much hatred in the world it is important that films like this are made to entertain on difficult issues without offending for the sake of offending.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

zouz123

Feb 26, 2015

Four lions is hilarious, it's a smart movie, really smart. I didn't see that it offends any religion, Islam specifically, it actually mocks those stupid terrorists who know nothing about what they're doing, and are not even close to being religious. One of the best black comedies out there,Four lions is hilarious, it's a smart movie, really smart. I didn't see that it offends any religion, Islam specifically, it actually mocks those stupid terrorists who know nothing about what they're doing, and are not even close to being religious. One of the best black comedies out there, with an excellent hilarious cast.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

06Morrow

Jan 18, 2011

I believe the people who label this film offensive or hurtful almost definitely haven't seen it. With a superb and extremely witty writing team of Bain and Armstrong (Peep Show) and a practically perfect directorial debut for Morris (Brass Eye), Four Lions was the best black comedy, withI believe the people who label this film offensive or hurtful almost definitely haven't seen it. With a superb and extremely witty writing team of Bain and Armstrong (Peep Show) and a practically perfect directorial debut for Morris (Brass Eye), Four Lions was the best black comedy, with relevance to today's culture, that I have seen in years and the Best British Film of 2010. Although no Oscars will probably come it's way, due to a sensitive American audience, the likelihood of a BAFTA isn't completely idiotic. In fact, it's probably a good idea.… Expand

6 of 6 users found this helpful60

alexandergreen

Sep 4, 2011

Excellent feature-length debut from my comedy hero, Chris Morris. It's situations are hilarious, and it's jam-packed with quotable lines. Kayvan Novak and Nigel Lindsay provide the memorable performances. And, despite it's premise, it is probably one of Morris's most accessible and leastExcellent feature-length debut from my comedy hero, Chris Morris. It's situations are hilarious, and it's jam-packed with quotable lines. Kayvan Novak and Nigel Lindsay provide the memorable performances. And, despite it's premise, it is probably one of Morris's most accessible and least offensive productions.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

drlowdon

Jul 27, 2019

A group of four young Muslim men living in England attempt to carry out a suicide bombing, (un)fortunately they turn to our be rather inept at completing their task.

You might not guess from the plot but Four Lions is primarily a comedy, albeit a dark one with a satirical edge. It does aA group of four young Muslim men living in England attempt to carry out a suicide bombing, (un)fortunately they turn to our be rather inept at completing their task.

You might not guess from the plot but Four Lions is primarily a comedy, albeit a dark one with a satirical edge. It does a great job of highlighting the sheer idiocy of religious terrorism and, just as importantly, it’s also very funny. It seems to have gone largely under the radar since its limited theatrical release back in 2010 but this is well worth a watch.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

liamexe

Dec 8, 2022

Although I wouldn't describe the movie as very good, it did have a few standout scenes, notably the ominous conclusion. In conclusion, see "Four Lions" if you appreciate British comedy or simply want to see something different, but don't anticipate a work of art.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Gitbo

Jan 3, 2011

First, the movie is nearly unintelligible because the English accents are so thick. I think I missed half the movie because I just couldn't understand what the characters said. However, the movie is seriously unfunny and borderline racist. While I understand this is a black comedy, theFirst, the movie is nearly unintelligible because the English accents are so thick. I think I missed half the movie because I just couldn't understand what the characters said. However, the movie is seriously unfunny and borderline racist. While I understand this is a black comedy, the difference between this and, say, Fargo, (a truly masterful black comedy) is substantial. The specter of innocents being obliterated by bumbling jihadists is simply too gruesome to be truly funny. A disturbing work that epitomizes "too soon."… Expand

0 of 14 users found this helpful014

SEE ALL 28 REVIEWS