The Wages of Fear (2024): Cast, Ratings & Ending
The Wages of Fear is a 2024 action thriller directed by Julien Leclercq, starring Alban Lenoir as Alex, Franck Gastambide and Ana Girardot. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes. Critics gave it 20% on Rotten Tomatoes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 44m (104 min)
- Director
- Julien Leclercq
- Original language
-
French
- Studio
- Labyrinthe Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Wages of Fear About?
The premise of The Wages of Fear without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
A desperate group of men are offered a large sum of money to transport highly explosive nitroglycerin across dangerous mountain roads. Facing a ticking clock and perilous conditions, they must overcome treacherous terrain and their own fears in a race against time to deliver the volatile cargo before disaster strikes.
The Wages of Fear Cast & Characters
Alban Lenoir leads the cast as Alex, with Franck Gastambide as Fred and Ana Girardot as Clara. Directed by Julien Leclercq; 20 actors are credited in all.
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Director Julien Leclercq
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Alban Lenoir as Alex -
Franck Gastambide as Fred -
Ana Girardot as Clara -
Bakary Diombera as Djibril
Also Starring in The Wages of Fear
· 16 more- Astrid Whettnall Anne Marchand
- Sofiane Zermani Gauthier
- Brice Bexter Copilote de l'hélicoptère
- Adil Abatourab Surveillant
- Rabii Benjhaile Policier en civil 1
- Douglas Grauwels
- Mansour Badri
- Hamza Joutey Détenu 2
- Alka Matewa Alka
- Sarah Afchain Assia
- Joseph Beddelin Pirate 1
- Ghita Berdai Malya
- Aberrahman Berrardi Gardien de l'homme d'affaires
- Mohamed Boussalem Détenu 1
- Toussaint Colombani
- Anouar Akkerouach
More from Julien Leclercq
More films directed by Julien Leclercq, best-rated first: The Bouncer, The Assault, Sentinelle and Earth and Blood.
The Wages of Fear Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Wages of Fear 20% on Rotten Tomatoes. Our Echo Score gives it 14/100, strongest in story & flow (25) and weakest in sensory experience (15).
The Wages of Fear Echo Score Breakdown
The remake of The Wages of Fear is broadly regarded as a disappointing effort that fails to capture the tension and craftsmanship of its source material. Reviews consistently cite sluggish pacing, uninspired direction, and a lack of narrative urgency, while occasional comments note marginally enjoyable action moments that do not offset the overall dullness. The consensus indicates a film that does not engage viewers and offers little lasting appeal, resulting in a low overall evaluation.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 15
In terms of art and craft, the film exhibits weak direction and uninspired visual execution. Critics highlight bland cinematography, choppy editing, and production design that feels generic, describing the overall aesthetic as a joke compared to the original. The lack of technical polish undermines any potential atmosphere, leading to a perception of a substandard cinematic effort.
- Character & Emotion 20
When evaluating character and emotion, the performances are widely criticized as wooden and one‑dimensional. Reviewers note that the protagonists lack depth, chemistry is absent, and emotional arcs fail to resonate. A few positive remarks about female characters and brief relational moments are outweighed by the dominant view of unengaging, poorly realized roles, resulting in a low character rating.
- Story & Flow 25
The story and flow are described as sluggish, predictable, and poorly constructed. Critics point to a convoluted plot, uneven pacing, and a lack of originality that renders the narrative tedious. While some mention occasional passable moments, the prevailing assessment is that the film does not sustain interest or cohesion, leading to a below‑average story score.
- Sensory Experience 15
Sensory experience suffers from uninspired visual styling and flat sound design. Reviewers describe the cinematography as lifeless, the soundtrack as unremarkable, and overall visual cohesion as lacking. No appreciable sensory strengths are identified, and the technical shortcomings detract from immersion, resulting in a low sensory rating.
- Rewatch Factor 20
Rewatch factor is negatively impacted by the film's overall dullness and limited appeal. Critics argue that the lack of tension, predictable sequences, and weak character dynamics diminish replay value. Although a few reviewers find brief enjoyment in isolated action scenes, the consensus suggests the movie offers little incentive for subsequent viewings.
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Rotten Tomatoes 20% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 14%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
TMDB 62% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.0 /5
6027 ratings
See on Letterboxd
The Wages of Fear Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in The Wages of Fear from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the bleak town of Las Piedras, where the unforgiving desert landscape blends with an atmosphere heavy with despair, four Frenchmen are ensnared in a precarious existence. Among them are Mario, a self-centered playboy, and Jo, an aging ex-gangster grappling with his fragmented past. They are joined by Luigi, who once had a robust spirit but now fights the debilitating effects of toxic dust, and Bimba, a brooding figure shaped by his father’s tragic fate during the Nazi regime. Their only connection to the world beyond this desolate locale is an airstrip that seems more a figment of imagination than a reality.
Full summary
The whole story of The Wages of Fear, scene by scene, with the ending explained
The Wages of Fear Trailers & Videos
The teaser of The Wages of Fear.
How Well Do You Know The Wages of Fear?
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 central job offered to the main characters in the film?
The Wages of Fear Also Known As
26 alternative titles, including “Fryktens lønn” and “Το μεροκάματο του τρόμου”.
- Also known as
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- Fryktens lønn
- Το μεροκάματο του τρόμου
- El salario del miedo
- Salariul groazei
- Плата за страх
- 恐懼的代價
- Cái Giá Của Sự Sợ Hãi
- Dehşet Yolcuları
- Fruktans lön
- O Salário do Medo
- Cena strachu
- Vite vendute
+14 more Show fewer
- A félelem bére
- Lohn der Angst
- Frygtens pris
- 恐惧的代价
- 新版恐惧的代价
- 공포의 보수
- Nadnica za strah
- Mzda za strach
- שכר האימה
- أجر الخوف
- 死亡邊緣
- Pelon palkka
- द वेजेज़ ऑफ़ फ़ीयर
- 恐怖の報酬
Seen The Wages of Fear?
The Wages of Fear FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of The Wages of Fear, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Wages of Fear?
The Wages of Fear runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).
When was The Wages of Fear released?
The Wages of Fear was released on March 29, 2024.
Who directed The Wages of Fear?
The Wages of Fear was directed by Julien Leclercq.
More films by Julien Leclercq Who is in the cast of The Wages of Fear?
The Wages of Fear stars Alban Lenoir as Alex, Franck Gastambide as Fred and Ana Girardot as Clara, among 20 credited actors.
How is The Wages of Fear rated?
The Wages of Fear has 20% on Rotten Tomatoes, 62% on TMDB and 2.0/5 on Letterboxd.
Does The Wages of Fear have a post-credit scene?
No. The Wages of Fear has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is The Wages of Fear in?
The original language of The Wages of Fear is French.
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