Drama

The Forgiven

DramaThriller

After the end of Apartheid, Archbishop Desmond Tutu meets with a brutal murderer seeking redemption.

Year

2018

Duration

1h 55m

IMDb

6.0

Trailer

Cast

Roland Joffé

Director

Forest Whitaker

Desmond Tutu

Eric Bana

Piet Blomfeld

Jeff Gum

Francois Schmidt

Rob Gough

Howard Varney

Debbie Sherman

Linda Coetzee

TM

Thandi Makhubele

Mrs. Morobe

NM

Nandiphile Mbeshu

Benjamin

Pamela Nomvete

Leah Tutu

Terry Norton

Lavinia

OS

Osbert Solomons

Mogomat

Morné Visser

Hansie Coetzee

David Butler

Governor

Warrick Grier

Kruger

Robert Hobbs

Burly Policeman

Dominika Jablonska

Forensic Clerk

AW

Alexander Wallace

Young Piet Blomfield

VA

Vuyolwethu Adams

Idukwe

JN

Joe Nabe

Judge Draad

MA

Michael Ashton

Writer

Roland Joffé

Writer

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Comments

10 comments

🇲🇦نيروبي🇲🇦Mar 23, 2026

Gabbie Vington DreyDec 24, 2024

Powerful movie about the depths of human depravity and the difficult path towards justice, forgiveness and overcoming racism. Unfortunately today's situation in South Africa reminds us all that another apartheid is about to take place - this time against white farmers who are in minority and whose murders are taking places with the majority black government condoning genocide. Sad story that we shall have to re-live if the world doesn't act now. If not I imagine another movie will be made in a few years this time with actors acting in reversed roles....

Yvonne Othman 🇬🇭🇩🇪Dec 24, 2024

Well this is my first ever review of any film on imdb. This was a subtle yet powerful film. Played out with a sense of realism and not a glamorous melodrama. I really enjoyed this and the performances of all were great. Eric Bana again knocks it out of the park, and forrest well what can you say. The ending crept up like a patient cat waiting to strike you unexpected and... IT DID. Well worth a watch and something that can teach you a great deal about the power of the human soul to endure and forgive. Against all odds.

momentoghDec 24, 2024

I REALLY liked this movie. In fact, I liked it so much, I watched it twice back to back. I have a hard time sitting still for ONE movie, much less watching ONE movie twice. THAT is how GOOD this movie is. The first time, I had a hard time understanding everything that was happening. I am not THAT familiar with the history of South Africa, nor can I speak Afrikaans. So it took two viewings to really understand the story. I thought the acting was superb!

🐺Dec 24, 2024

I've never written an IMDB review before but am provoked to do so by the current rating of 5.8, which is so far off the mark that I am shocked. Whitaker and Bana both give Oscar-worthy performances. This is Bana's best performance ever --- he makes his character truly terrifying. The interaction between Bana and Whitaker is so intense that it should be a film-study classic. This great story weaves together the best and worst things about humans. A great story, too, and an important educational lesson.

BUSHA_ALMGDOP❤️Dec 24, 2024

I had a job to recognise Forest Whittaker when the movie started because the make up was so good, and his normal facial expressions and mannerisms were just not there for this movie, quite rightly so to because he portrayed Desmond Tutu so very well. Eric Bana's portrayal was so brilliant that you really hated the man and became engrossed in the interplay between him and Tutu, which in itself was interesting to watch. I won't go into the details and spoil everything, but one of the scenes towards the end of the movie was one of the most heart-wrenching scenes I have ever seen in any movie, anywhere, and surely the actors must have received a standing ovation from the crew after it was filmed. Don't be put off by the poor reviews, because this is a movie worth watching and you may well learn something along the way.

Diaz265Dec 24, 2024

Glad I didn't see any reviews before watching this. I thought it was a great movie. I understand it's not a documentary so you take the facts with a grain of salt but it did make me research apartheid since I was never quite sure what it was all about. Ugly people doing ugly things. Unfortunately relevant in current times. Will we ever learn?

Boitumelo LenyatsaDec 24, 2024

Bana delivers a compelling performance that sent chills down my spine, and the exchanges between Bana's Blomfield and Whitaker's Tutu had me absolutely glued to the screen! I thought the two main characters were brilliantly supported by all of the actors in this film, with a particularly good performance by Thandi Makhubele. The Forgiven has a solid storyline that handles it's sensitive subject matter well. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie really cannot understand why it doesn't have a higher rating - which is why I felt compelled to write my first ever IMDB review!

نصرDec 24, 2024

The story of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission should be required viewing as far as I'm concerned. The actors and director clearly care about this story and they have told it well. I'm a white South African with family that were in the police and military during this time. I think this movie is incredibly well done. Don't worry about the camera angles and makeup; just watch, enjoy, and maybe even learn something. My favourite exchange: "Do you know what Paradise Lost is?" "A nightclub?" "No, you clutch plate. It's a poem... about me!" Cheers, Pierre

Corey MavukaDec 24, 2024

I just had to see this since i saw it on imdb having higher than +5 in total. i tried to follow and watch it but its poor preformance by actors and the guys filming must have been drunk all the time, there is no steady shot even when they are sitting still. the director has tried sell this movie on the fact that people are going to feel sorry for africa once again yet not much substance is put in the move other than voilence here and there. really appalling.