Elite Squad: The Enemy Within
A visceral political thriller where the war on crime implodes, revealing a city drowning under the weight of its own saviors.
Elite Squad: The Enemy Within
Elite Squad: The Enemy Within

Tropa de Elite 2

08 October 2010 Brazil 115 min ⭐ 7.8 (1,961)
Director: José Padilha
Cast: Wagner Moura, Irandhir Santos, André Ramiro, Pedro Van-Held, Maria Ribeiro
Drama Crime Action
Systemic Corruption The Futility of a Purely Violent Solution The Flawed Anti-Hero Media and Political Manipulation
Box Office: $63,027,681

Elite Squad: The Enemy Within - Movie Quotes

Memorable Quotes

O inimigo agora é outro.

— Roberto Nascimento (Narration)

Context:

This is a recurring idea in Nascimento's narration as he pieces together the new power structure in Rio after his crackdown on the drug trade inadvertently creates a vacuum for the militias to fill.

Meaning:

Translated as "The enemy is now another," this line is the film's original subtitle and its core thesis. It signifies the shift in Nascimento's understanding of the conflict, from a war against drug dealers to a battle against a corrupt political system and the militias it fosters.

O sistema é foda, parceiro.

— Roberto Nascimento (Narration)

Context:

This line is delivered in Nascimento's voiceover, often after he has witnessed a setback or a new level of political depravity, summarizing his growing disillusionment throughout the film.

Meaning:

Translated as "The system is a motherfucker, partner." This quote encapsulates Nascimento's ultimate realization of the scale and complexity of the corruption he faces. It's a statement of cynical resignation, acknowledging that "The System" is an impersonal, pervasive, and seemingly unbeatable force.

Um policial não puxa o gatilho sozinho.

— Roberto Nascimento

Context:

Nascimento says this during a confrontation, likely with a politician or Fraga, to explain that the violence on the streets is a symptom of a much deeper political disease.

Meaning:

"A cop doesn't pull the trigger by himself." This statement reflects Nascimento's matured understanding of responsibility. He realizes that a police officer's actions are the final result of a long chain of political decisions, media pressure, and systemic failures. It's his argument against blaming individual officers for a problem created and sustained by politicians.