Overview
In the depths of World War II, survival becomes a desperate fight against overwhelming odds.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Brutal
- somber
- tense
- harrowing
- historical film night
- serious movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film emotionally powerful and well acted, but divided over its heavy-handed direction, blunt dialogue, and treatment of historical complexity.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Tuvia Bielski assumes responsibility for feeding, sheltering, and protecting a large group of Jewish refugees in the forest.
Tuvia and Zus Bielski disagree over whether the group should prioritize protection and community or more aggressive partisan warfare.
The deep, cold forests provide concealment from German forces while creating severe shortages, isolation, and exposure for the refugees.
The Bielski brothers lead Jewish escapees and refugees while navigating German occupation and neighboring Soviet partisans.
Films like Defiance, and why
Army of Shadows
shared world war ii setting, resistance drama, survival stakes, and morally serious historical storytelling
Schindler's List
shared holocaust-era persecution, endangered civilians, and emotionally direct resistance narrative
Come and See
shared wartime survival, partisan conflict, forest environments, and ensemble struggle under occupation
Movie Details
- Director
- Edward Zwick
- Release Date
- 2008-12-31
- Runtime
- 137 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (1965)
Cast
- Daniel Craig
- Liev Schreiber
- Jamie Bell
- Alexa Davalos
- Allan Corduner
- Mark Feuerstein
- Tomas Arana
- Jodhi May
- Kate Fahy
- Iddo Goldberg
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Paramount Plus Essential
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Defiance about?
- Four Jewish brothers turn a hostile wartime forest into a fragile refuge for hundreds fleeing Nazi persecution.
- What is Defiance like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Defiance as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Defiance violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Defiance as brutal.
- What did critics think of Defiance?
- Critics broadly found the film emotionally powerful and well acted, but divided over its heavy-handed direction, blunt dialogue, and treatment of historical complexity.
- Which films are like Defiance?
- Films with a similar feel include Army of Shadows, Schindler's List, and Come and See.
- How long is Defiance?
- Defiance runs 137 minutes.
- Where can I watch Defiance?
- In United States, Defiance streams on Paramount Plus Essential.
