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Biographical drama

The Pirates of Somalia (2017): Cast, Ratings & Where to Watch

The Pirates of Somalia (2017) movie poster

The Pirates of Somalia is a 2017 biographical drama directed by Bryan Buckley, starring Melanie Griffith as Maria Bahadur, Evan Peters and Russell Posner. It runs 1 hour 56 minutes and earned $103,385 worldwide. Critics gave it 63% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Stream it on Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Fandango At Home.

IMDb rating
6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
63%
worldwide gross
$103.4K
Echo Score
75
The Pirates of Somalia (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 56m (116 min)
Director
Bryan Buckley
Genres
Biography , Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Pirates of Somalia About?

The premise of The Pirates of Somalia without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In 2008, a determined journalist embeds himself with pirates operating off the coast of Somalia. The film offers a revealing look into their dangerous world, exploring the difficult realities that drive these high-seas criminals and the lives of the men who inhabit the lawless coastline. It’s a raw and immersive portrayal of a complex situation.

The Pirates of Somalia Themes & Keywords

· 15 tags
  • pirate
  • reference to edgar allan poe
  • reference to oscar wilde
  • reference to herman melville
  • canada
  • writer
  • drugs
  • gun
  • 2000s
  • reference to h.p. lovecraft
  • docudrama drama
  • year 2008
+3 more
  • africa
  • somalia
  • based on true story
Where to watch

Where to Watch The Pirates of Somalia

Stream it on Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Fandango At Home. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

The Pirates of Somalia Cast & Characters

Melanie Griffith leads the cast as Maria Bahadur, with Evan Peters as Jay Bahadur and Russell Posner as Jared Bahadur. Directed by Bryan Buckley; 14 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Pirates of Somalia

· 10 more
Ratings

The Pirates of Somalia Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Pirates of Somalia 63% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (65).

75 /100

The Pirates of Somalia Echo Score Breakdown

In its overall presentation The Pirates of Somalia demonstrates strong performances and engaging moments but is occasionally uneven in its narrative execution. Many reviewers highlighted the compelling rapport between Evan Peters and Barkhad Abdi and praised the film’s balance of comedic and dramatic tones. However, critiques noted the pacing stretches and a lack of deeper development in certain plot threads. On balance, the film offers an accessible entry into its subject with reliable entertainment value despite some structural shortcomings.

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

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of artful execution the film adopts a straightforward visual style that supports its narrative without drawing undue attention. Reviews noted the understated production design and measured pacing in scene transitions, while the direction maintains a consistent tone throughout. Though the aesthetic approach is not highly inventive, it effectively underpins the story’s dramatic and comedic elements.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character depth the film presents compelling performances, particularly through the rapport between Evan Peters and Barkhad Abdi. Critics praised the nuanced chemistry and credible emotional exchanges, noting that the cast imbues the narrative with warmth and sincerity. Some observations pointed to limited development of the protagonist’s inner motivations, but overall the acting remains a notable asset.

  • Story & Flow 65

    Regarding story coherence the narrative balances biographical exposition with light comedic elements but occasionally feels stretched and underdeveloped. Reviewers observed that its pacing can linger on scenes without sufficient narrative payoff, and some faulted the focus on the journalist over the broader context. Despite these structural concerns, the film maintains enough engaging moments to hold viewer interest overall.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    In terms of sensory experience the film’s use of location and ambient sound contributes to an authentic atmosphere. Observers noted the integration of local settings and occasional score cues that enhance immersion without overpowering the drama. While the visual style remains functional rather than bold, these elements combine to modestly elevate the viewing experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    When considering rewatch value the film offers moments of genuine insight and inspirational undertones that may reward repeat viewing. Some comments highlight its informative approach and character interactions as elements worth revisiting. However, critiques regarding its extended runtime and narrative unevenness suggest limited appeal for subsequent watches, resulting in a moderate overall replay factor.

Plot

The Pirates of Somalia Plot Summary

What happens in The Pirates of Somalia from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 2008, we find ourselves following the journey of a recent Canadian college graduate, Jay Bahadur. Living in the basement of his childhood home, he grapples with unfulfilled aspirations of becoming a successful writer, as he spends his day-to-day life tangled in marketing research for a mundane napkin manufacturer. His mother, portrayed by the talented [Melanie Griffith](/actor/melanie-gr Griffith), has him shoveling snow to contribute to household expenses. However, fate takes an unexpected turn when, after an unfortunate slip that causes him to injure his back, Jay encounters the acclaimed writer, Seymour Tolbin, in a doctor’s waiting room.

Full summary

The whole story of The Pirates of Somalia, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Pirates of Somalia Box Office

The Pirates of Somalia grossed $103,385 worldwide.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$103.4K

International
$103.4K
Videos

The Pirates of Somalia Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Pirates of Somalia.

Official UK Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Pirates of Somalia?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What year does the story of 'The Pirates of Somalia' take place?

Cars

Cars in The Pirates of Somalia

17 cars on screen, including the Toyota Land Cruiser and the Gomoto GT 125.

All 17 cars
  • Toyota Land Cruiser in The Pirates of Somalia Toyota Land Cruiser Main role
  • Gomoto GT 125 in The Pirates of Somalia Gomoto GT 125 Important role
  • Toyota Hilux in The Pirates of Somalia Toyota Hilux Important role
  • 1998 Volkswagen Jetta A3 Typ 1H in The Pirates of Somalia 1998 Volkswagen Jetta A3 Typ 1H Important role
Details

The Pirates of Somalia Also Known As

25 alternative titles, including “Where the White Man Runs Away” and “Dabka”.

Also known as
  • Where the White Man Runs Away
  • Dabka
  • 逃离索马里
  • Somálští piráti
  • Into the Fire
  • Die Piraten von Somalia
  • Os Piratas da Somália
  • Сомалийски пирати
  • Somali Korsanları
  • 索马里海盗
  • Пираты Сомали
  • Пирати Сомалије
+13 more
  • Piraci z Somalii
  • Los piratas de Somalia
  • השודדים מסומליה
  • 소말리아의 해적
  • Piratas de Somalia
  • Somālijas pirāti
  • Szomália kalózai
  • Οι Πειρατές της Σομαλίας
  • 索馬裡海盜
  • Somalio piratai
  • I pirati della Somalia
  • Hải Tặc Somalia
  • Пірати Сомалі

Seen The Pirates of Somalia?

FAQ

The Pirates of Somalia FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Pirates of Somalia, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Pirates of Somalia?

The Pirates of Somalia runs 1 hour 56 minutes (116 minutes).

When was The Pirates of Somalia released?

The Pirates of Somalia was released on December 8, 2017.

Who directed The Pirates of Somalia?

The Pirates of Somalia was directed by Bryan Buckley.

More films by Bryan Buckley

Who is in the cast of The Pirates of Somalia?

The Pirates of Somalia stars Melanie Griffith as Maria Bahadur, Evan Peters as Jay Bahadur and Russell Posner as Jared Bahadur, among 14 credited actors.

Where can I watch The Pirates of Somalia?

In the US, The Pirates of Somalia is streaming on Amazon MX Player, Amazon Prime Video and Cineverse and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Fandango At Home and Google Play Movies (availability from JustWatch).

How much did The Pirates of Somalia make at the box office?

The Pirates of Somalia grossed $103,385 worldwide.

How is The Pirates of Somalia rated?

The Pirates of Somalia has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 63% on Rotten Tomatoes, 69% on TMDB and 3.3/5 on Letterboxd.

Does The Pirates of Somalia have a post-credit scene?

No. The Pirates of Somalia has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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