Ryan Gosling’s performance in The Believer (2001) remains one of the most daring and provocative in his career, establishing him as a major talent in Hollywood and marking a significant turning point in his journey from relative obscurity to stardom. Directed by Henry Bean, The Believer tells the story of Daniel Balint, a young Jewish man who is drawn into neo-Nazi ideology despite his own heritage. This complex, morally ambiguous character was a departure from conventional roles, and Gosling’s nuanced portrayal of a man grappling with deep internal conflict resonated powerfully with audiences and critics alike. The film’s exploration of identity, hate, and self-loathing sparked controversy but also led to critical acclaim. In many ways, The Believer was the movie that launched Gosling into the spotlight and set the stage for his future success.

The Role of Daniel Balint: A Tormented Soul

At the heart of The Believer is the character of Daniel Balint, a young Jewish man who becomes deeply involved in neo-Nazi ideology, despite the obvious contradiction of his ethnic and religious background. Balint is a troubled individual, one whose internal contradictions are expressed in the violent and often erratic behavior he exhibits throughout the film. He joins a group of skinheads led by a charismatic leader (played by Billy Zane) and quickly rises to a position of influence within the movement. Yet beneath his radical beliefs, Balint’s inner turmoil is palpable. He is torn between his hatred for Jews and the painful recognition of his own Jewish identity. The character’s psychological conflict is the driving force of the film, and it’s this complexity that makes The Believer such a powerful and unsettling exploration of the human psyche.

Gosling’s performance as Daniel Balint is remarkable in its depth and subtlety. Balint is a character that could easily have been reduced to a mere caricature of hate or a one-dimensional villain. Instead, Gosling humanizes him, showing the character as someone struggling with profound inner demons. The film never allows us to fully understand why Balint is drawn to neo-Nazism, but it hints at his personal history and the emotional scars he carries from his upbringing. His father was a harsh, distant figure, and his mother’s death seems to have been a pivotal moment in his life, leading him to reject everything that he associates with his Jewish roots. Gosling’s portrayal of this internal conflict is masterful. He plays the role with a quiet intensity, never overplaying the emotional turmoil, but instead allowing the complexity of the character to unfold gradually.

Gosling’s portrayal is especially compelling because it challenges the audience to sympathize with a character who, on the surface, seems utterly unredeemable. He embodies the confusion, frustration, and self-hate that many people feel when confronted with an identity crisis, but he also represents the dangers of self-destructive ideology. It’s a tragic portrayal, one that refuses to give the audience easy answers, but that’s exactly what makes it so powerful.

Gosling’s Breakout Performance

At the time of The Believer, Ryan Gosling was still an up-and-coming actor, known mostly for his work in television and in supporting roles. His career had yet to hit the stratosphere, but his performance in The Believer showcased his incredible range and depth. While Gosling had already demonstrated his ability to play sympathetic, likable characters in films like Remember the Titans (2000), The Believer presented him with a role that was far more challenging and complicated. It was a role that demanded not only emotional depth but also an understanding of the darker, more disturbing aspects of the human experience.

In a way, The Believer helped transform Gosling from a promising young actor into a bona fide leading man. The film was a critical success, particularly for Gosling’s performance, and it caught the attention of casting directors and producers. This led to bigger and more prominent roles in films like The Notebook (2004), Half Nelson (2006), and Drive (2011), each of which allowed him to further hone his craft and cement his place in Hollywood. Gosling’s ability to tackle such difficult and morally ambiguous roles in The Believer proved that he was not just a pretty face or a one-dimensional heartthrob, but a versatile actor capable of taking on the most complex characters.

The decision to take on such a controversial role so early in his career also demonstrated Gosling’s fearlessness as an actor. Many young stars might have shied away from a part like Daniel Balint, given the potential for backlash. But Gosling embraced the challenge, delivering a performance that would not only define his early career but would also foreshadow his future success in roles that pushed the boundaries of conventional filmmaking.

Themes of Identity and Hate

The Believer is more than just a film about a Jewish neo-Nazi; it is an exploration of identity, hate, and the psychological forces that drive individuals to radical ideologies. The film presents a compelling portrait of a young man who, despite being raised in a Jewish household, seeks to renounce his heritage and embrace an ideology that promotes hatred and violence against his own people. It’s a film that asks difficult questions about the nature of identity and self-loathing, and about how the wounds of the past can shape one’s worldview in destructive ways.

At the core of the film is Daniel’s struggle to reconcile his Jewish identity with his involvement in neo-Nazism. He is both a victim of his past and an active participant in the hate groups that prey on vulnerable individuals. The film subtly suggests that Daniel’s involvement with neo-Nazism is not just a product of his personal feelings of alienation but is also a reaction to the larger societal forces at play. The film doesn’t excuse his behavior, but it invites the audience to consider the complex factors that contribute to the rise of hate groups and the people who join them.

The theme of self-hate is explored in several scenes that depict Daniel’s internal struggle. He verbally attacks his own heritage, blaming his Jewish background for the pain and confusion he feels in his life. He seems to believe that by rejecting his Jewish identity, he will be able to free himself from the guilt and shame that he feels. But as the film progresses, it becomes clear that his hatred is not just directed outward, at others, but inward as well. This internalized self-loathing is perhaps the most tragic aspect of Daniel’s character, and it is something that Gosling plays with great sensitivity.

The film also touches on the larger cultural and societal forces that shape Daniel’s beliefs. In one pivotal scene, he expresses his frustration with the Jewish community, which he feels has never accepted him, and with the world at large, which he believes has marginalized him. The film suggests that individuals like Daniel are often drawn to hate groups because they offer a sense of belonging and empowerment, a way to assert their identity in a world that seems indifferent or hostile.

Critical Reception and Controversy

The Believer received mixed but generally positive reviews upon its release. Critics hailed Gosling’s performance as one of the standout features of the film, praising his ability to inhabit such a complex, morally ambiguous character. Many were impressed by the emotional depth he brought to the role, as well as by his ability to convey the intense internal conflict that defined his character.

However, the film also sparked significant controversy, especially due to its depiction of a Jewish neo-Nazi. Some critics and viewers found it difficult to reconcile the idea of a Jewish person embracing neo-Nazi ideology, and the film’s portrayal of this subject matter was seen as a provocative attempt to push the boundaries of art. The film raised uncomfortable questions about the limits of artistic expression and whether it was appropriate to explore such sensitive and controversial topics.

Despite the controversy, The Believer ignited a broader conversation about the nature of hate, identity, and the psychological factors that lead individuals to adopt extremist views. It forced audiences to grapple with uncomfortable truths about the forces that shape our identities and the way we view others. This intellectual engagement is part of what made the film so memorable and so important in the broader cultural conversation about hate and identity.

Impact on Gosling’s Career

The Believer marked a significant turning point in Ryan Gosling’s career. The film not only showcased his acting abilities but also demonstrated his willingness to take on challenging, controversial roles that pushed the limits of what Hollywood was willing to accept. The film’s success helped to establish Gosling as an actor with a unique ability to tackle complex, morally ambiguous characters, and it laid the groundwork for his future success in films like The Notebook, Half Nelson, and Drive.

By taking on the role of Daniel Balint, Gosling proved that he was more than just a pretty face or a heartthrob. He was an actor willing to dive into the darkest corners of the human psyche and explore complex, difficult themes. This fearlessness would serve him well in the years to come, as he would continue to take on roles that challenged both his abilities and the expectations of audiences.

In many ways, The Believer is the film that established Ryan Gosling as one of Hollywood’s most talented and versatile actors. His performance in the film is a testament to his ability to embody complex characters with depth and nuance, and it remains one of the defining moments of his early career.