Overview
A gripping tale of political intrigue and murder unfolds in a repressive regime, where truth is the ultimate casualty.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- urgent
- paranoid
- furious
- political cinema night
- serious film discussion
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as an exceptionally exciting and politically forceful procedural thriller whose urgent style intensifies its indictment of authoritarian corruption.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The examining magistrate and photojournalist separately pursue the truth behind the deputy's supposed accident.
The assassination investigation is presented with edge-of-the-seat tension while indicting military authoritarianism.
The secret police orchestrate the killing and authorities promote a drunken-accident explanation.
The pacifist rally, military-led government, secret police conspiracy, and censorship place the film within an explicitly anti-authoritarian tradition.
Films like Z, and why
The Battle of Algiers
Shares an urgent political thriller structure, government corruption, investigative suspense, and a morally charged anti-authoritarian perspective.
All the President's Men
Combines procedural investigation with institutional corruption, political repression, and escalating suspense.
Missing
Uses a conspiracy thriller framework to expose authoritarian power, assassination, and manipulated official narratives.
The Lives of Others
A tense political crime drama centered on state violence, truth-seeking investigators, and the suppression of dissent.
Movie Details
- Director
- Costa-Gavras
- Release Date
- 1969-02-26
- Runtime
- 122 min
- Rating
- 7.8 / 10 (655)
Cast
- Yves Montand
- Irene Papas
- Jean-Louis Trintignant
- Jacques Perrin
- Charles Denner
- François Périer
- Bernard Fresson
- Pierre Dux
- Georges Géret
- Magali Noël
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Criterion Channel, HBO Max
- Rent
- Apple TV Store
- Buy
- Apple TV Store
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Z about?
- A relentless political thriller follows a magistrate and photojournalist as they expose the military conspiracy behind a dissident leader's assassination.
- What is Z like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Z as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Z violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Z as moderate.
- What did critics think of Z?
- Critics broadly regard the film as an exceptionally exciting and politically forceful procedural thriller whose urgent style intensifies its indictment of authoritarian corruption.
- Which films are like Z?
- Films with a similar feel include The Battle of Algiers, All the President's Men, Missing, and The Lives of Others.
- How long is Z?
- Z runs 122 minutes.
- Where can I watch Z?
- In United States, Z streams on Criterion Channel, HBO Max.
