Elite Squad: The Enemy Within

An elite police unit fights a corrupt system as its leaders collide with the consequences of power. After a brutal raid on Bangu 1 intended to crush a prison rebellion, Nascimento and Captain André Matias face allegations of prisoner killings brought by Diogo Fraga, an advocate. The probe shakes the BOPE from top to bottom, threatening Matias with a transfer to a tainted Military Police and forcing Nascimento to contend with a governor eager to bend the force to his will. As the case spirals, loyalties are tested and each man weighs how far he will go to protect comrades, keep order, and preserve justice. The film tracks the fallout without softening the reality of crime and politics in Rio.

Directed by José Padilha, written with Bráulio Mantovani and Rodrigo Pimentel, the film builds on the real world of Rio's BOPE and the first movie's material, continuing a sharp look at how institutions bend to survive, underlining political pressure and the cost of exposing corruption.

Box office earnings total about $63,027,681 worldwide, signaling strong international interest for a Brazilian crime drama and the continuation of Padilha's hard edged police saga, attracting audiences worldwide and sparking discussion.

Its unflinching portrait of power and corruption sparked discussions about accountability in Brazil's security forces. Viewers worldwide connected with the grim realism and the toll on ethics, while politics shaping police actions became a central theme. The film helped elevate Brazilian crime drama to conversations about policy and reform.

Critical reception emphasized brisk pace and moral complexity, with a sharp focus on how power and loyalty collide in a corrupt system. Themes of accountability, reform, and the costs of policing recur throughout, and the film earns praise for its unflinching social critique. Some reviews noted a heavier political edge than the first film, but the sustained tension remains compelling.