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War drama

Girls of the Sun (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Girls of the Sun (2019) movie poster

Girls of the Sun is a 2019 war drama directed by Eva Husson, starring Golshifteh Farahani as Bahar, Behi Djanati Atai and Evin Ahmad. It runs 1 hour 55 minutes and earned $183,296 worldwide. Critics gave it 51% on Rotten Tomatoes and 51 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
51%
worldwide gross
$183.3K
Echo Score
53
Metascore
51
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Girls of the Sun (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 55m (115 min)
Director
Eva Husson
Genres
Drama , War
Original language
French
Studio
Cinéart
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Girls of the Sun About?

The premise of Girls of the Sun without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

During a brutal conflict in Kurdistan, Commander Bahar leads a courageous brigade of women on a perilous mission to liberate their homeland from extremist forces. She is also driven by the desire to rescue her own son, who is being held hostage. A French journalist, Mathilde, documents their fight, revealing the remarkable stories of these warriors determined to reclaim their freedom and fight for Women, Life, Liberty.

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Cast & crew

Girls of the Sun Cast & Characters

Golshifteh Farahani leads the cast as Bahar, with Behi Djanati Atai as Dahlia and Evin Ahmad as Berivan. Directed by Eva Husson; 12 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Eva Husson

More films directed by Eva Husson, best-rated first: Mothering Sunday and Bang Gang (A Modern Love Story).

Full filmography
Ratings

Girls of the Sun Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Girls of the Sun 51% on Rotten Tomatoes and 51 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 53/100, strongest in art & craft (65) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

53 /100

Girls of the Sun Echo Score Breakdown

Girls of the Sun presents a blend of convincing action sequences and earnest intent that is undermined by uneven storytelling and character depth. Critics note the film’s authentic depiction of combat and a consistent sense of tension, yet many find its narrative structure disjointed and its thematic resonance diluted by clichés and melodramatic turns. The central performances bring emotional immediacy, though development of key characters remains superficial. Overall, this film leaves a mixed impression shaped by technical strengths and narrative shortcomings.

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

  • Art & Craft 65

    In terms of direction and cinematography, Girls of the Sun delivers a visceral portrayal of combat with measured tension and a gritty realism. Editing choices maintain forward momentum during action sequences, though some shifts in visual style feel abrupt. Production design convincingly grounds the setting, but occasional disjointed transitions temper the overall visual cohesion.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    When it comes to acting and emotional resonance, Girls of the Sun benefits from Farahani’s committed lead performance, which adds authenticity and depth. However, character development often relies on broad strokes and familiar archetypes, limiting emotional engagement. Supporting roles, while earnest, lack sufficient backstory or nuance to foster strong audience connection.

  • Story & Flow 50

    In terms of plot coherence and pacing, the film’s narrative demonstrates ambition in portraying real events but suffers from uneven structure. Critics observe disjointed storytelling and intermittent shifts between poetic and realist tones that disrupt engagement. While the underlying premise offers genuine interest, inconsistent focus on key plot developments undermines overall narrative momentum.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    Regarding the sensory experience, Girls of the Sun features an immersive soundscape that heightens battle sequences and underscores emotional beats. The musical score, though driving tension effectively, occasionally overwhelms quieter moments. Visually, the film employs a muted palette and dynamic compositions to evoke realism, yet some scenes lack consistent cohesion in their aesthetic choices.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    When considering rewatch value, Girls of the Sun offers moments of compelling action and a sobering reflection on real-world events that may invite repeat viewings. However, uneven character arcs and narrative inconsistencies reduce its lasting appeal. The film’s emotional impact and technical strengths are tempered by structural flaws that hinder its replay factor.

Plot

Girls of the Sun Plot Summary

What happens in Girls of the Sun from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The story unfolds through the eyes of Mathilde, a determined French war reporter who travels to Kurdistan to document the fierce resistance against ISIS. In the rugged landscape of conflict, she comes to meet Bahar Golshifteh Farahani, who leads the Gordyene Unit, a women’s resistance militia built from the ashes of captives who endured ISIS captivity. This unit operates with a quiet resolve, choosing to fight back not with grand speeches but with decisive, relentless action. The narrative blends Mathilde’s contemporary observations with intimate, often painful, flashbacks that reveal Bahar’s life before the war: a lawyer by training, a wife and mother, who enjoyed a simple happiness in a town that would soon be torn apart.

Full summary

The whole story of Girls of the Sun, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Girls of the Sun Box Office

Girls of the Sun grossed $183,296 worldwide. $19,712 came from the US and Canada and $163,584 (89%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$183.3K

US & Canada
$19.7K
International
$163.6K
US & Canada 11% Rest of the world 89%
Videos

Girls of the Sun Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Girls of the Sun.

Official US Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Girls of the Sun?

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

Who is the French war reporter at the center of the story?

Cars

Cars in Girls of the Sun

8 cars on screen, including the Jeep Wrangler and the 2019 Nissan Altima.

All 8 cars
  • Jeep Wrangler in Girls of the Sun Jeep Wrangler Important role
  • 2019 Nissan Altima in Girls of the Sun 2019 Nissan Altima Important role
  • Toyota Corolla in Girls of the Sun Toyota Corolla Important role
  • Jeep Compass in Girls of the Sun Jeep Compass Background role
Details

Girls of the Sun Also Known As

17 alternative titles, including “걸스 오브 더 선” and “As Filhas do Sol”.

Also known as
  • 걸스 오브 더 선
  • As Filhas do Sol
  • کچانی خۆر
  • 太陽之女
  • 太阳之女
  • Les filles du soleil
  • Дочери Солнца
  • Bojovníčky slnka
  • Filhas do Sol
  • 태양의 소녀들
  • Дівчата сонця
  • Bojovnice slunce
+5 more
  • Fetele Soarelui
  • Hijas del sol
  • Töchter der Sonne
  • Saulės dukros
  • バハールの涙

Seen Girls of the Sun?

FAQ

Girls of the Sun FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Girls of the Sun, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Girls of the Sun?

Girls of the Sun runs 1 hour 55 minutes (115 minutes).

When was Girls of the Sun released?

Girls of the Sun was released on April 12, 2019.

Who directed Girls of the Sun?

Girls of the Sun was directed by Eva Husson.

More films by Eva Husson

Who is in the cast of Girls of the Sun?

Girls of the Sun stars Golshifteh Farahani as Bahar, Behi Djanati Atai as Dahlia and Evin Ahmad as Berivan, among 12 credited actors.

How much did Girls of the Sun make at the box office?

Girls of the Sun grossed $183,296 worldwide ($19,712 domestic, $163,584 international).

How is Girls of the Sun rated?

Girls of the Sun has 51% on Rotten Tomatoes, 51 on Metacritic, 70% on TMDB and 3.4/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Girls of the Sun have a post-credit scene?

No. Girls of the Sun has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Girls of the Sun in?

The original language of Girls of the Sun is French.

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