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Action drama

Ransomed (2023): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Ransomed (2023) movie poster

Ransomed is a 2023 action drama directed by Seong Hun Kim, starring Anas El Baz as Naji, Ji-hun Ju and Fehd Benchemsi. It runs 2 hours 12 minutes and earned $8.1 million worldwide. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best International Film at the Saturn Awards 2024. Critics gave it 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.

IMDb rating
6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
89%
worldwide gross
$8.1M
award nomination
1
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Ransomed (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 12m (132 min)
Director
Seong Hun Kim
Genres
Action , Drama
Original language
Korean
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Ransomed About?

The premise of Ransomed without spoilers.

A South Korean diplomat embarks on a dangerous journey to rescue a colleague believed to be dead. Following a coded message, he travels to Lebanon, where he reluctantly partners with a local taxi driver. Together, they navigate a treacherous landscape, facing perilous obstacles as the diplomat seeks to save his comrade and confront a shadowed past.

Ransomed Themes & Keywords

· 16 tags
  • money
  • young
  • explosion
  • beirut lebanon
  • 1980s
  • shootout
  • korean diplomat
  • lebanese civil war
  • kidnap for ransom
  • diplomat
  • kidnapping
  • ransom
+4 more
  • taxi driver
  • seoul south korea
  • geneva switzerland
  • militia
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Cast & crew

Ransomed Cast & Characters

Anas El Baz leads the cast as Naji, with Ji-hun Ju and Fehd Benchemsi as Karim. Directed by Seong Hun Kim; 10 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Ransomed Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Ransomed 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in character & emotion (88) and weakest in story & flow (70).

80 /100

Ransomed Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Ransomed delivers an engaging action‑thriller that leans heavily on its charismatic lead duo and competent production values. Critics highlight its entertaining pacing and solid craftsmanship, while a minority note occasional tonal unevenness. Audience reactions echo this balance, praising the chemistry and visual style despite some concerns about originality. The collective sentiment positions the film as a satisfying, though not groundbreaking, addition to the genre, supporting a strong but measured overall rating.

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

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of direction and cinematography, the film is consistently praised for its clear visual composition and effective action staging. Reviewers note well‑shot sequences and a director who maintains momentum, while a solitary critique mentions occasional unfocused editing. The production design supports the Lebanese setting without drawing attention to itself. Overall, the craftsmanship is solid and contributes positively to the viewing experience.

  • Character & Emotion 88

    When it comes to character work, the pairing of Ha Jung‑woo and Ju Ji‑hoon receives strong acclaim for nuanced performances and palpable chemistry. Critics describe the leads as believable and the supporting cast as effective, reinforcing the buddy dynamic. Audience comments echo this view, highlighting the duo's interaction as a core strength. Few criticisms arise, resulting in a high assessment of acting and emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 70

    Regarding plot and pacing, the narrative is commended for its well‑timed action beats and generally coherent structure. Reviewers appreciate the blend of thriller and comedic elements, though some point to moments of melodrama and a lack of originality. One critic calls the story slightly unfocused, and a user remarks on its familiar kidnapping premise. The mixed feedback yields a moderate score reflecting both engagement and narrative shortcomings.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    In the sensory domain, the film’s visual style is highlighted for vibrant portrayals of urban alleyways and countryside landscapes. Cinematography is described as beautiful and supportive of the action sequences, while sound design receives limited commentary, implying adequacy. No major criticisms emerge, and the overall sensory experience is deemed competent and enhancing to the overall tone of the film.

  • Rewatch Factor 82

    The rewatch factor is bolstered by the film’s entertaining pacing and the lead duo’s chemistry, prompting viewers to desire additional viewings. Critics label it a fun blockbuster and a gripping thriller, and audiences report high enjoyment and a willingness to revisit the movie. While some note predictability, the prevailing impression is that the film retains appeal beyond a single screening.

Box office

Ransomed Box Office

Ransomed grossed $8.1 million worldwide. $142,101 came from the US and Canada and $8 million (98%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$8.1M

US & Canada
$142.1K
International
$8M
US & Canada 2% Rest of the world 98%
Awards

Ransomed Awards & Nominations

Ransomed earned 1 award nomination, including Best International Film at the Saturn Awards 2024.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Ransomed Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Ransomed.

RANSOMED Official International Trailer | Kim Seong-hun | Starring Ha Jung-woo & Ju Ji-hoon
Cars

Cars in Ransomed

48 cars on screen, including the 1983 Mercedes-Benz W123 and the 1974 Fiat 132.

All 48 cars
  • 1983 Mercedes-Benz W123 in Ransomed 1983 Mercedes-Benz W123 Main role
  • 1974 Fiat 132 in Ransomed 1974 Fiat 132 Important role
  • 1988 Isuzu Pickup in Ransomed 1988 Isuzu Pickup Important role
  • 1988 Jeep Cherokee in Ransomed 1988 Jeep Cherokee Important role
Details

Ransomed Also Known As

19 alternative titles, including “Kidnapped” and “피랍”.

Also known as
  • Kidnapped
  • 피랍
  • Unofficial Operation
  • عملية غير رسمية
  • فدية
  • คู่ระห่ำไถ่ข้ามโลก
  • คู่ระห่ำ ไถ่ข้ามโลก
  • Неофициальная операция
  • Resgatado
  • Выкуп
  • 非官方行动
  • 救參的士
+7 more
  • 贖命救援
  • Bộ Đôi Báo Thủ
  • Resgate Internacional
  • الفِدية
  • Okup
  • Откупен
  • ランサム 非公式作戦

Seen Ransomed?

FAQ

Ransomed FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Ransomed, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Ransomed?

Ransomed runs 2 hours 12 minutes (132 minutes).

When was Ransomed released?

Ransomed was released on August 4, 2023.

Who directed Ransomed?

Ransomed was directed by Seong Hun Kim.

Who is in the cast of Ransomed?

Ransomed stars Anas El Baz as Naji, Ji-hun Ju and Fehd Benchemsi as Karim, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Ransomed make at the box office?

Ransomed grossed $8.1 million worldwide ($142,101 domestic, $8 million international).

How is Ransomed rated?

Ransomed has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, 67% on TMDB and 3.2/5 on Letterboxd.

Was Ransomed nominated for any awards?

Ransomed received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does Ransomed have a post-credit scene?

No. Ransomed has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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