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Thriller

The Forgiven (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

The Forgiven (2018) movie poster

The Forgiven is a 2018 thriller directed by Roland Joffé, starring Forest Whitaker as Desmond Tutu, Eric Bana and Thandi Makhubele. It runs 1 hour 55 minutes and earned $42,213 worldwide on a $15 million budget. Critics gave it 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and 41 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.4/10. Stream it on Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
4.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
69%
worldwide gross
$42.2K
Echo Score
55
The Forgiven (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 55m (115 min)
Director
Roland Joffé
Genre
Thriller
Original language
English
Budget
$15M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is The Forgiven About?

The premise of The Forgiven without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

During a violent standoff in a church under siege, Lieutenant Morgan leads his team through a dangerous and unpredictable situation. As chaos unfolds, James is forced to confront a difficult decision between escaping the conflict or fighting for his life. Elizabeth demonstrates fierce resolve to protect him, embarking on a perilous journey filled with uncertainty and risk. The team must overcome numerous obstacles to survive the escalating crisis.

The Forgiven Themes & Keywords

· 6 tags
  • escape
  • christianity
  • kidnapping
  • church
  • shooting
  • christian film
Where to watch

Where to Watch The Forgiven

Stream it on Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

The Forgiven Cast & Characters

Forest Whitaker leads the cast as Desmond Tutu, with Eric Bana as Piet Blomfeld and Thandi Makhubele as Mrs. Morobe. Directed by Roland Joffé; 12 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Forgiven

· 8 more
Ratings

The Forgiven Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Forgiven 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and 41 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 55/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

55 /100

The Forgiven Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, The Forgiven delivers strong performances but struggles with uneven pacing and narrative momentum. The film offers compelling moments of direction and gripping sequences, yet its talky approach and occasional padding undercut coherence. Acting is widely praised for emotional depth and chemistry, while the storyline often remains predictable and uneven in its development. Visual restraint and minimal musical accompaniment support the thematic focus, but limited surprises reduce lasting engagement. Ultimately, the net impression is of a film with notable strengths offset by 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 55

    In terms of art direction and craft, The Forgiven exhibits moments of visual restraint and effective staging but also instances of uneven pacing in its scene construction. Several reviewers noted an interesting setting and well-composed shots, yet padding in extended takes sometimes undercuts momentum. The film’s production design supports thematic focus but lacks consistent dynamism.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances are the film’s strongest asset, with depth and chemistry highlighted in key interactions. Actors are frequently commended for nuanced portrayals that reveal inner conflict and humanity. Some commentary, however, points to moments of overearnest delivery that limit emotional resonance. Overall, the character work remains consistently compelling.

  • Story & Flow 45

    In terms of story and flow, The Forgiven presents a narrative that is thematically rich but often hindered by predictable beats and uneven pacing. Observers cite gripping confrontations alongside talky sequences that fail to build sufficient momentum or surprise. While the premise of moral reckoning provides intrigue, the plot’s conventional structure diminishes engagement. The storyline ultimately feels inconsistent in its progression.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    When considering sensory experience, the film’s restrained sound design and limited musical score create an intimate atmosphere that aligns with its dramatic focus. The visual style relies on naturalistic lighting and restrained camera movement that support the narrative. However, the minimal sensory embellishments may feel sparse to viewers expecting more dynamic audiovisual flair. The overall sensory palette is measured and unobtrusive.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    For rewatch value, The Forgiven offers a mixed proposition. Its strong performances and thematic depth may reward subsequent viewings, but the film’s talky exposition and uneven pacing can limit replay appeal. Some viewers may appreciate renewed attention to nuanced dialogues, while others may find the narrative structure repetitive. The rewatch factor is therefore moderate and selective.

Plot

The Forgiven Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Forgiven from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the wake of apartheid, Desmond Tutu leads the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and travels to Pollsmoor Maximum Security Prison to meet Piet Blomfeld, an ex-security police officer and Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging member, to assess his candidacy for amnesty. The film follows Blomfeld as a potential witness to murders from the era, including the tragedy surrounding the teenage daughter of Mrs. Morobe, who pleads for answers and closure. Blomfeld initially shows little remorse, using the early encounters to hurl insults at the Archbishop and to project defiance rather than confession.

Full summary

The whole story of The Forgiven, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

The Forgiven Box Office & Budget

The Forgiven grossed $42,213 worldwide on a $15 million budget.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$42.2K

International
$42.2K
Budget
$15M
Videos

The Forgiven Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Forgiven.

The Forgiven Official Trailer (2018) - Forest Whitaker, Eric Bana
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Forgiven?

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

Question 1 of 9

  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

Which South African figure heads the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in the film?

Cars

Cars in The Forgiven

7 cars on screen, including the 1986 Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse W126 and the 1958 Land-Rover 109'' Series II Station Wagon.

All 7 cars
  • 1986 Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse W126 in The Forgiven 1986 Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse W126 Important role
  • 1958 Land-Rover 109'' Series II Station Wagon in The Forgiven 1958 Land-Rover 109'' Series II Station Wagon Minor role
  • 1995 Opel Kadett 200 tS F in The Forgiven 1995 Opel Kadett 200 tS F Minor role
  • 1990 Reumech OMC RG-12 in The Forgiven 1990 Reumech OMC RG-12 Minor role

Seen The Forgiven?

FAQ

The Forgiven FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

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

How long is The Forgiven?

The Forgiven runs 1 hour 55 minutes (115 minutes).

When was The Forgiven released?

The Forgiven was released on March 9, 2018.

Who directed The Forgiven?

The Forgiven was directed by Roland Joffé.

More films by Roland Joffé

Who is in the cast of The Forgiven?

The Forgiven stars Forest Whitaker as Desmond Tutu, Eric Bana as Piet Blomfeld and Thandi Makhubele as Mrs. Morobe, among 12 credited actors.

Where can I watch The Forgiven?

In the US, The Forgiven is streaming on Amazon MX Player, Amazon Prime Video and Fandango at Home Free and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did The Forgiven make at the box office?

The Forgiven grossed $42,213 worldwide on a budget of $15 million.

How is The Forgiven rated?

The Forgiven has 4.4/10 on IMDb, 69% on Rotten Tomatoes, 41 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.

Does The Forgiven have a post-credit scene?

Yes. The Forgiven has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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