Saloum (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Saloum is a 2022 horror thriller directed by Jean Luc Herbulot, starring Yann Gael as Chaka, Evelyne Ily Juhen and Roger Sallah. It runs 1 hour 24 minutes and earned $5,078 worldwide. Critics gave it 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 24m (84 min)
- Director
- Jean Luc Herbulot
- Original language
-
French
- Studio
- IFC Midnight
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Saloum About?
The premise of Saloum without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
After fleeing a coup, a group of legendary mercenaries known as the Bangui Hyenas seek refuge at a remote seaside retreat. As they attempt to lay low, old tensions resurface, complicated by the presence of a mysterious mute woman named Awa and the dark secrets of their leader, Chaka. The fragile peace is shattered when their past catches up to them, unleashing a wave of violence that threatens everyone's survival and forces them to confront their inner demons.
Saloum Themes & Keywords
· 6 tags- supernatural thriller
- 2000s
- year 2003
- africa
- mercenary
- senegal
Saloum Cast & Characters
Yann Gael leads the cast as Chaka, with Evelyne Ily Juhen as Awa and Roger Sallah as Rafa. Directed by Jean Luc Herbulot; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Jean Luc Herbulot
-
Yann Gael as Chaka - Evelyne Ily Juhen as Awa
- Roger Sallah as Rafa
- Mentor Ba as Minuit
Also Starring in Saloum
· 6 more- Renaud Farah Felix
- Bruno Henry Omar
- Babacar Oualy Salamane
- Marielle Salmier Sephora
- Ndiaga Mbow Souleymane
- Cannabasse Youce
Saloum Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Saloum 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 85/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (70).
Saloum Echo Score Breakdown
Saloum presents a bold, genre‑blending experience that largely succeeds through its confident direction and striking visual palette. Critics and viewers note the film’s energetic pacing and inventive mix of horror, action and folklore, though some point to occasional narrative clutter. The performances and character dynamics receive commendation, contributing to an engaging, if at times uneven, story. Overall the film offers a fresh, memorable entry in African‑inspired cinema, appealing to audiences who appreciate stylistic ambition.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 90
In terms of art and craft, Saloum is frequently praised for its confident direction and precise visual composition. Reviewers highlight the film’s bold use of color, fluid camera movement, and meticulous production design that evoke both mythic and realistic tones. While a few note occasional uneven editing, the overall consensus affirms a high level of technical proficiency.
- Character & Emotion 80
When evaluating character and emotion, critics and viewers commend the depth and texture of the ensemble, noting distinct personalities and strong chemistry, particularly among the mercenary trio. Performances are described as nuanced and emotionally resonant, with standout moments such as a deaf character’s sign‑language presence. Minor critiques mention occasional under‑development, yet the prevailing view is that the characters effectively anchor the film’s genre shifts.
- Story & Flow 70
Regarding story and flow, Saloum’s plot is admired for its ambitious, genre‑blending structure and fast‑paced narrative that keeps viewers engaged. The originality of mixing crime thriller elements with supernatural folklore receives particular praise. Conversely, some reviewers point to an overload of plot points and occasional pacing lapses that can hinder coherence. Overall, the storyline is seen as inventive yet unevenly managed.
- Sensory Experience 88
In terms of sensory experience, the film is repeatedly lauded for its striking visual style, including vivid color palettes and atmospheric cinematography that reinforce its mythic setting. Sound design and musical cues effectively enhance tension, though specific commentary on the soundtrack is limited. The overall sensory impression is one of immersive, stylized horror that supports the narrative’s tonal shifts.
- Rewatch Factor 75
Rewatch factor for Saloum is generally positive, with many viewers describing it as a hidden gem that rewards repeat viewings through its layered genre shifts and rich visual world. The film’s energetic pacing and memorable characters encourage audiences to revisit its inventive blend of horror and folklore. While some note that narrative density may limit immediate repeat appeal, the consensus suggests lasting interest for fans of bold, stylistic cinema.
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IMDb 6.2 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 96% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 66%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 78 Metascore
User score 6.9
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 67% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.4 /5
20 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Saloum Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Saloum from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The Hyenas of Bangui follows a trio of elite African mercenaries—Chaka, Rafa, and Minuit—who are enlisted to extract the notorious Mexican drug lord Felix from Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, amidst the chaos of a coup d’état in 2003. Their mission promises a hefty reward: a briefcase filled with gold. However, their plans take a dark turn when sabotage leads to a leak in their airplane, forcing an emergency landing in a secluded area of Senegal’s Sine-Saloum region.
Full summary
The whole story of Saloum, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Saloum Box Office
Saloum grossed $5,078 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$5.1K
- US & Canada
- $5.1K
Saloum Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 1 trailer and 2 clips.
- Clip "Donations" Clip
- Clip "Go Ahead" Clip
How Well Do You Know Saloum?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the mercenary group in the movie?
Cars in Saloum
18 cars on screen, including the CF Moto X8 Terralander and the TGB Blade.
-
CF Moto X8 Terralander Important role -
TGB Blade Important role -
2010 Chevrolet Equinox Minor role -
1997 Mitsubishi L-200 Minor role
Saloum Also Known As
6 alternative titles, including “烈殺令” and “살룸의 하이에나”.
- Also known as
-
- 烈殺令
- 살룸의 하이에나
- Салум
- سالوم
- 烈杀令
- ซาลูม แค้นปลุกนรก
Seen Saloum?
Movies Like Saloum
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Achoura, Achoura and Saadia.
Saloum FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Saloum, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Saloum?
Saloum runs 1 hour 24 minutes (84 minutes).
When was Saloum released?
Saloum was released on September 2, 2022.
Who directed Saloum?
Saloum was directed by Jean Luc Herbulot.
More films by Jean Luc Herbulot Who is in the cast of Saloum?
Saloum stars Yann Gael as Chaka, Evelyne Ily Juhen as Awa and Roger Sallah as Rafa, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Saloum make at the box office?
Saloum grossed $5,078 worldwide.
How is Saloum rated?
Saloum has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 78 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.
Does Saloum have a post-credit scene?
No. Saloum has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Saloum in?
The original language of Saloum is French.
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