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Action drama

15 Minutes of War (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

15 Minutes of War (2019) movie poster

15 Minutes of War is a 2019 action drama directed by Fred Grivois, starring Alban Lenoir as André Gerval, Josiane Balasko and Vincent Perez. It runs 1 hour 38 minutes and earned $476,231 worldwide. Critics gave it 50% on Rotten Tomatoes and 44 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.

IMDb rating
6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
50%
worldwide gross
$476.2K
Echo Score
55
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15 Minutes of War (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 38m (98 min)
Director
Fred Grivois
Genres
Action , Drama , History , War
Original language
French
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is 15 Minutes of War About?

The premise of 15 Minutes of War without spoilers.

A gripping true story follows the harrowing events when Somali rebels seize a school bus carrying twenty-one French children and their American teacher. A small team of elite commandos, led by Captain Andre Gerval, launches a covert and desperate rescue mission. They race against the clock to extract the captives from a dangerous border region before time expires and the situation escalates further.

15 Minutes of War Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • reference to monica lewinsky
  • reputation
  • internet
  • shame
  • internet culture
  • online culture
  • outrage
  • reference to bill clinton monica lewinsky sex scandal
  • public shaming
  • damaged reputation
  • cancel culture
  • social media
+38 more
  • public scandal
  • modern society
  • reference to the internet
  • viral sensation
  • reference to amazon
  • new york times
  • news article
  • journalism
  • hand sanitiser
  • hand sanitizer
  • online harassment
  • reference to the coronavirus
  • punishment
  • public humiliation
  • humiliation
  • banishment
  • cultural history
  • ostracization
  • pillory
  • reference to twitter
  • reference to princess diana
  • tabloid
  • twitter
  • viral video
  • reference to the george floyd protests
  • reference to black lives matter
  • unfair dismissal
  • reference to white supremacy
  • public apology
  • mob justice
  • mob mentality
  • moral outrage
  • reference to dopamine
  • schadenfreude
  • facebook
  • facebook friends
  • reference to michael caputo
  • fake social media account
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Cast & crew

15 Minutes of War Cast & Characters

Alban Lenoir leads the cast as André Gerval, with Josiane Balasko as Michèle Sampieri and Vincent Perez as Général Favrart. Directed by Fred Grivois; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in 15 Minutes of War

· 6 more
From the director

More from Fred Grivois

More films directed by Fred Grivois: Playdate and Through the Air.

Full filmography
Ratings

15 Minutes of War Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave 15 Minutes of War 50% on Rotten Tomatoes and 44 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 55/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in story & flow (40).

55 /100

15 Minutes of War Echo Score Breakdown

The film demonstrates competent technical execution but struggles with its narrative and thematic coherence. Critics praise the production’s craftsmanship yet note a troubling lack of contextual depth around its historical backdrop. While the action sequences offer moments of genuine tension, the uneven script and questionable political framing undermine sustained engagement. Overall, 15 Minutes of War delivers sporadic thrills but falls short of a fully cohesive dramatic experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s direction and editing exhibit a solid command of tension-building techniques. Cinematography effectively captures the stark environments of the hostage crisis, and production design convincingly recreates the setting. Technical execution is generally polished, lending an air of authenticity to the action sequences. The artful presentation remains one of the film’s most consistent strengths.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances are serviceable but lack deeper resonance. Some actors project confidence and clarity, making the stakes understandable, yet the ensemble as a whole feels broadly sketched. Emotional connections to the protagonists are intermittent, and chemistry among the leads fluctuates. Character development provides enough motivation for the plot but does not fully engage on a personal level.

  • Story & Flow 40

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative is often described as context-free and uneven. Plot coherence suffers from minimal exploration of underlying political complexities, leaving motivations underdeveloped. Pacing is brisk in action set pieces but sluggish in quieter moments, leading to inconsistent engagement. While the finale redeems earlier missteps, the overall script feels dated and formulaic, detracting from the film’s dramatic potential.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    With regards to sensory experience, the soundtrack and sound design effectively amplify suspense during critical moments. Visual style varies between stark realism and heightened action, maintaining interest without becoming overwhelming. The editing rhythm during battle scenes delivers kinetic energy, though some technical gimmicks feel contrived. Overall, the sensory elements support the film’s mood, contributing positively to its immersive quality.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    When evaluating rewatch factor, the movie offers some replay value through its standout action sequences. However, the uneven narrative and lack of sustained emotional investment limit enjoyment on subsequent viewings. The technical craftsmanship remains appreciable, but repeated watches may highlight story gaps and questionable context. Ultimately, the lasting appeal is modest, with few elements compelling enough to justify frequent revisits.

Box office

15 Minutes of War Box Office

15 Minutes of War grossed $476,231 worldwide.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$476.2K

International
$476.2K
Cars

Cars in 15 Minutes of War

6 cars on screen, including the 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe and the American Custom Hummer H3.

All 6 cars
  • 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe in 15 Minutes of War 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe Important role
  • American Custom Hummer H3 in 15 Minutes of War American Custom Hummer H3 Minor role
  • 2010 Toyota Prius III in 15 Minutes of War 2010 Toyota Prius III Minor role
  • 2009 Audi A3 in 15 Minutes of War 2009 Audi A3 Background role

Seen 15 Minutes of War?

FAQ

15 Minutes of War FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of 15 Minutes of War, each answered in a sentence.

How long is 15 Minutes of War?

15 Minutes of War runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).

When was 15 Minutes of War released?

15 Minutes of War was released on August 2, 2019.

Who directed 15 Minutes of War?

15 Minutes of War was directed by Fred Grivois.

More films by Fred Grivois

Who is in the cast of 15 Minutes of War?

15 Minutes of War stars Alban Lenoir as André Gerval, Josiane Balasko as Michèle Sampieri and Vincent Perez as Général Favrart, among 10 credited actors.

How much did 15 Minutes of War make at the box office?

15 Minutes of War grossed $476,231 worldwide.

How is 15 Minutes of War rated?

15 Minutes of War has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 50% on Rotten Tomatoes, 44 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.

Does 15 Minutes of War have a post-credit scene?

No. 15 Minutes of War has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is 15 Minutes of War in?

The original language of 15 Minutes of War is French.

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