Citizenfour

"Many of the best documentaries feature events that seemingly happen by accident, narratives that appear to unfold in manners that surprise audiences and filmmakers alike. While Citizenfour is a captivating and unmissable portrait of leaker Edward Snowden, one of its many interesting facets is how unlike the unpredictable doco model it turns out to be while still proving utterly engrossing from start to finish."

"Poitras brilliantly demonstrates that information is a weapon that cuts both ways."

"Poitras' stance is simply to present the evidence, without commentary, angle or narrative."

"At its most eye-opening and essential simply as a portrait of the then 29-year-old Snowden at a point of absolute no-return in his life."

"A tense and frightening thriller that blends the brisk globe-trotting of the "Bourne" movies with the spooky, atmospheric effects of a Japanese horror film."

"A gripping record of how our rulers are addicted to gaining more and more power and control over us - if we let them."

"Poitras fashions Citizenfour into a spy thriller whose intrigues bleed into everyday life."

"No matter one's personal stance about what Snowden did, this revelatory work is fascinating and thought-provoking, if, at the same time, oddly lacking in tension."

"Alarming and essential – anyone with a phone should see it."