Twenty-five years ago, a then-unknown Ryan Gosling walked into Sundance with a film so uncomfortable that Hollywood spent the next two decades pretending it didn’t exist. The Believer premiered on January 19, 2001, won the Grand Jury Prize, and was quietly buried — skipping a wide theatrical release and disappearing from the cultural conversation almost immediately. This month, the American Cinematheque named Gosling the recipient of its 40th annual career honour, and in the official citation, The Believer was the first film mentioned. Before Drive. Before La La Land. Before Barbie. The performance that proved Ryan Gosling was going to be a star is the one nobody talks about — and it remains his darkest, most fearless work.
They say everyone wants to be the The Nice Guys star – he’s become the ideal of thousands of internet denizens who proclaim the actor is “literally me” in each role. But in the case of The Believer, a 2001 drama that delves into the depths of ideological extremism, maybe you’d think twice about wanting to step into Ryan Gosling’s shoes or jacket.
What Is Ryan Gosling’s The Believer About?
The story of The Believer circles around Danny Balint, portrayed by none other than Ken himself, Ryan Gosling. Danny is a young Jewish man who, after delving into some twisted interpretations of the scripture, becomes convinced that the Jews aren’t powerful enough. This conviction pushes him into a downward spiral of hatred for himself, his culture, and everything else he deems “weak.” Long story short, he becomes a Jewish neo-Nazi.
Playing a character like Danny Balint couldn’t have been easy, but Ryan Gosling nails it. He shows us Danny’s inner conflict in this raw, intense way that draws you in even when it freaks you out. Gosling somehow gets across how torn Danny is between his Jewish heritage and buying into neo-Nazi discourse.
You can see the gears turning as Danny tries to justify his twisted logic. It’s chilling but also kind of fascinating, thanks, in great part, to Gosling’s acting chops. Much like Edward Norton in American History X, Danny’s character shows us how easy it is for any person to buy into an ideology of hatred based on misinterpretation and misplaced anger.
Why Ryan Gosling’s Performance In The Believer Is Genuinely Extraordinary
Perhaps one of the best parts about The Believer is how humane and sincere its narrative feels. At no point during the film do you feel like there’s any sort of justification or even a hint of an excuse for Danny’s actions, but that doesn’t mean that he isn’t a sympathetic character at all. The ending serves as a powerful conclusion to Danny’s character arc, even if that still might not be enough to redeem its character.
Now, when we think of Gosling, our minds usually go to this dreamy actor who occasionally delves into some unexpectedly deep dramas. More La La Land and less Drive have been Ryan Gosling’s usual career path – but that entire tactic seems absent when it comes to The Believer.
The Believer was Ryan Gosling’s third feature film – he had still to prove his reputation as the beloved – if brooding – actor he is today. Starring in such a controversial drama as The Believer so early in one’s career might be seen as a surefire way to Typecast Town – but not for Gosling.
Why The Believer Is Not Like Any Other Ryan Gosling Movie
This is not the usual “feel-good” drama where goodness wins at the end, and Danny enjoys a long life with his beloved as a changed man. The Believer doesn’t shy away from showing how hate and the destruction it breeds usually lead people to a place from which there’s no return.
Despite enjoying some positive buzz from critics, the limited mass appeal of The Believer and its controversial subject have turned it into one of Gosling’s most overlooked films. If you’re the type of fan who loves Gosling in everything he is in, or if he’s “literally you” whenever he’s brooding or sulking in Blade Runner 2049, then definitely consider giving The Believer a watch.
The silence around The Believer isn’t accidental — a Jewish neo-Nazi as protagonist is simply not a film Hollywood knows how to market, then or now. That discomfort is precisely what makes it essential viewing, and exactly why Gosling’s performance has never received the recognition it deserves.
Tell us, have you seen Ryan Gosling’s The Believer?
