---
title: "The Dictator"
year: 2012
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/the-dictator-2012"
media_type: "movie"
tmdb_id: 76493
imdb_id: "tt1645170"
status: "Released"
runtime_minutes: 83
community_rating: 6.2
vote_count: 6514
content_rating: "R"
---

# The Dictator (2012) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/the-dictator-2012

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

The Dictator is a 2012 comedy film directed by Larry Charles. The film stars Sacha Baron Cohen in a satirical role as a dictator. The story follows this character, who risks his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed. The film's plot is centered around the character's experiences in a foreign country, where he faces challenges and undergoes significant changes. The film's tone is comedic, with the story incorporating elements of satire and social commentary. The Dictator features a cast that includes Anna Faris and John C. Reilly, among others.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "A dictator hilariously fights to keep power in this satirical comedy."

### Why Watch
- Sharp political satire with bold comedic moments
- Sacha Baron Cohen's committed and outrageous performance

### Caveats & Content Note
- Some jokes rely heavily on offensive stereotypes
- Plot can feel unevenly paced
- Tone & Suitability: Contains crude humor, offensive language, and satirical depictions of authoritarianism.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: satirical, absurdist, political, darkly funny, over-the-top

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Peacock Premium, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel, Peacock Premium Plus | None | JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store |
| **United Kingdom (GB)** | Paramount Plus, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Basic with Ads | YouTube Free | JustWatch TV, Apple TV Store, Rakuten TV |
| **Canada (CA)** | Super Channel Plus, Super Channel Amazon Channel, fuboTV | None | Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube |
| **Australia (AU)** | Stan | None | JustWatch TV, Apple TV Store, Amazon Video |

## Creative Credits

- **Directed by**: Larry Charles
- **Networks / Studios**: Paramount Pictures, Berg Mandel Schaffer Productions, Scott Rudin Productions

## Key Cast Continuity

- **Sacha Baron Cohen** as *Aladeen / Efawadh*
- **Ben Kingsley** as *Tamir*
- **Anna Faris** as *Zoey*
- **Jason Mantzoukas** as *Nadal*
- **Sayed Badreya** as *Omar*
- **Adeel Akhtar** as *Maroush*
- **Aasif Mandvi** as *Doctor*
- **Rizwan Manji** as *Patient*
- **Rocky Citron** as *Baby Aladeen*
- **Liam Campora** as *Aladeen Age 6*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: Is The Dictator based on a true story?
No, it is a fictional satire featuring a made-up dictator and country.

### Q: Who plays the main character?
Sacha Baron Cohen plays Admiral General Aladeen, the fictional dictator.

### Q: What country is the movie set in?
The story takes place in Wadiya, a fictional East African nation.

### Q: Is this film appropriate for children?
No, it contains adult humor, crude content, and is not suitable for children.

### Q: What genre is The Dictator?
It is a political satire comedy film.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [The Dictator — The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/76493)
- [The Dictator (2012) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1645170)
- [The Dictator – review | Film | The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/may/10/the-dictator-review)
- [The Dictator (2012) Movie | Sacha Baron Cohen, Anna Faris ... - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zJbmZMngUU)
- [The Dictator movie review & film summary (2012) | Roger Ebert](http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-dictator-2012)
- [The Dictator - Watch Full Movie on Paramount Plus](https://www.paramountplus.com/movies/video/cS17oPVwSDC091KQm5_ESt7EPIEuZN9G/?msockid=23755bd2a0c366bb3ca34c4da1846786)

---
*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*