Romantic drama

Moffie (2021): Cast & Ratings

Name: Moffie
Genre: Drama, Romance, War
Released: 2021-04-09
Duration: 1 h 44 min
Cast: Kai Luke Brummer, Connor Dowds, Michael Kirch, Matthew Vey, Rikus Terblanche

Moffie is a 2021 romantic drama directed by Oliver Hermanus, starring Kai Luke Brummer, Connor Dowds and Michael Kirch. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes. It earned 1 award nomination, including Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer at the BAFTA 2021. Critics gave it 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.

IMDb rating: 6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 91%
award nomination: 1
Echo Score: 80

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Watch the trailer

Released: April 9, 2021
Runtime: 1h 44m (104 min)
Director: Oliver Hermanus
Genres: Drama , Romance , War
Original language: English
Studio: IFC Films
After the credits: No No extra scene

The story

What Is Moffie About?

The premise of Moffie without spoilers.

During the Angolan Border War in 1981 South Africa, a 16-year-old named Nicholas Van der Swart faces compulsory military service. Thrust into a tense environment, he grapples with the regime's brutal forces while confronting his own conflicted emotions and desires. The experience forces him to navigate a complex landscape of duty, fear, and personal awakening amidst a nation divided.

Moffie Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags

homophobia
gay kiss
south africa
gay soldier
apartheid
soldier
gay interest
gay
gay teenager
military training
conscription
male rear nudity

+38 more

gay slur
group nudity
year 1981
cigarette lighter
sadist
reference to david and goliath
training
militarism
cleaning a gun
volleyball
flashback
spin the bottle
organ music
beach
public pool
public swimming pool
homosexual slur
gay character
man watches another man shower
fight
sexual awakening
first gay sexual experience
masculinity
coming of age
male nudity
skinny dipping
racism
communal shower
briefs
forced to strip
man forced to strip
group shower
shower room
short shorts
military
boot camp
male masturbation
masturbation

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Cast & crew

Moffie Cast

Kai Luke Brummer leads the cast, with Connor Dowds and Michael Kirch. Directed by Oliver Hermanus; 10 actors are credited in all.

Director Oliver Hermanus

Also Starring in Moffie

· 6 more

From the director

More from Oliver Hermanus

More films directed by Oliver Hermanus, best-rated first: Living, The History of Sound, The History of Sound and Moffie.

Full filmography

Ratings

Moffie Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Moffie 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in story & flow (60).

80 /100

Moffie Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Moffie delivers a powerful but uneven experience that balances meticulous craft with narrative inconsistency. The film’s direction and cinematography receive widespread praise for their striking visuals and lyrical contrasts. Its performances add depth and emotional weight, though some critics and viewers note pacing issues and tangential sequences that disrupt the plot’s cohesion. As a result, Moffie stands out as a visually assured and emotionally resonant drama that is occasionally hindered by its uneven narrative flow.

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

Art & Craft 85

In terms of art and craft, the film excels in its precise direction and striking cinematography. Critics highlight Hermanus’s eye for composition and the film’s bleak yet beautiful imagery, though some point to uneven editing and experimental camera techniques. Overall, the craft is assured and visually compelling despite occasional inconsistencies.
Character & Emotion 90

When it comes to character and emotion, the performances are deeply affecting and nuanced. Kai Luke Brummer’s introspective portrayal anchors the film with subtle charisma, and supporting roles convey genuine emotional tension. Viewers respond to the authentic depiction of fear and longing. This aspect delivers consistent depth and emotional resonance throughout.
Story & Flow 60

In terms of story and flow, the film presents a compelling premise overshadowed by uneven pacing and tangential sequences. While some find the coming-of-age war narrative engaging and original, others note disruptive flashbacks and narrative detours that dilute the central conflict. Overall, the story ambition is clear but occasionally undermined by inconsistent coherence.
Sensory Experience 80

When it comes to sensory experience, the film offers an immersive visual and auditory palette. Reviewers praise its lyrical imagery and stark color contrasts, and the score adds emotional weight and period authenticity. A minority find moments of tonal mismatch in the soundtrack. Overall, the sensory design is compelling with only minor inconsistencies.
Rewatch Factor 70

In terms of rewatch factor, the film’s intense emotional journey and strong performances encourage reconsideration, revealing deeper thematic layers on subsequent viewings. The stark portrayal of oppression and nuanced character arcs invite analysis, though the film’s weighty tone may deter casual revisits. Overall, Moffie offers lasting appeal tempered by its challenging subject matter.