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Romantic drama

The Wound (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Wound (2017) movie poster

The Wound is a 2017 romantic drama directed by John Trengove, starring Bongile Mantsai, Nakhane Touré and Gamelihle Bovana. It runs 1 hour 28 minutes and earned $213,043 worldwide. Critics gave it 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.

IMDb rating
6.8/10
worldwide gross
$213K
Echo Score
85
Metascore
80
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The Wound (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 28m (88 min)
Director
John Trengove
Genres
Drama , Romance
Original language
Bangla
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Wound About?

The premise of The Wound without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Set against the backdrop of South Africa's Xhosa culture, this story follows Kwanda, a young man from the city, and his guide, Xolani, as they participate in a traditional rite of passage. As they navigate ancient customs and a restrictive masculine environment, tensions rise and hidden desires surface. Their journey becomes a perilous exploration of identity, forcing them to confront not only the traditions around them but also their own evolving selves, leading to a revealing and dangerous dance of self-discovery.

The Wound Themes & Keywords

· 33 tags
  • gay teenager
  • homoeroticism
  • gay romance
  • gay interest
  • south africa
  • male male kiss
  • male nudity
  • male rear nudity
  • sexuality
  • masculinity
  • homophobia
  • waterfall
+21 more
  • south african
  • male bonding
  • initiation ritual
  • all male cast
  • initiation
  • murder
  • hut
  • truck
  • tent
  • african ritual
  • unrequited love
  • rich parents
  • stunned unconscious
  • throwing away one's shoes
  • swimming
  • repression
  • sexual repression
  • blood
  • killing a goat
  • punched in the face
  • circumcision
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Cast & crew

The Wound Cast

Bongile Mantsai leads the cast, with Nakhane Touré and Gamelihle Bovana. Directed by John Trengove; 9 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from John Trengove

One more film directed by John Trengove: Manodrome.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Wound Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Wound 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 85/100, strongest in art & craft (92) and weakest in rewatch factor (75).

85 /100

The Wound Echo Score Breakdown

The Wound offers a compelling exploration of cultural tradition and personal identity, grounded in meticulously crafted visuals and nuanced performances. Critics highlight its intimate widescreen compositions and naturalistic editing, while audiences appreciate the emotional honesty at its core. The plot unfolds with deliberate pacing, balancing conventional coming-of-age motifs and challenging thematic questions. While some narrative beats feel uneven, the film’s cohesive sensory approach and thematic resonance deliver a lasting appeal. Ultimately, The Wound stands as a thoughtful and evocative cinematic experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 92

    In terms of art and craft, The Wound excels through its evocative cinematography and measured editing. Reviewers note the dusk-lit silhouettes and wide-screen framing that lend intimacy to secluded landscapes. The film’s production design remains understated yet authentic, enhancing the ritual scenes without distraction. Overall, its visual style is consistently precise and engaging.

  • Character & Emotion 88

    When it comes to character and emotion, The Wound presents nuanced performances and authentic emotional resonance. Reviewers praise the chemistry between Xolani and Vija and the layered portrayal of initiates facing cultural pressures. The restrained dialogue underscores deep vulnerabilities, allowing gestures and glances to convey internal struggles. In sum, the character work remains potent and credible.

  • Story & Flow 78

    In terms of story and flow, The Wound blends a traditional coming-of-age framework with provocative thematic contrasts. Critics appreciate the film’s bold questions about tradition and sexuality, though some note uneven exposition and familiar narrative arcs. The pacing unfolds at a deliberate, slow-burning tempo, granting space for reflection. Overall, the plot maintains engagement despite occasional lulls.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    When it comes to sensory experience, The Wound relies on its sound design and visual cohesion to immerse viewers. The minimalistic score complements natural ambient sounds, reinforcing the secluded setting. Reviewers highlight the soft-focus backgrounds and organic soundscape that underscore emotional tension. In effect, the film’s sensory palette is harmonious and reinforces its introspective tone.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    In terms of rewatch factor, The Wound offers lasting appeal through its thematic depth and visual precision. Viewers report lingering questions about cultural identity and personal growth that invite repeat viewings. While the slow pace may be challenging, the film’s nuanced performances and measured craftsmanship reward subsequent engagements. Ultimately, the work maintains a reflective resonance over time.

Plot

The Wound Plot Summary

What happens in The Wound from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Rane opens with a poignant dedication to “the generations born after Tito.” This compelling film tracks the lives of two boys, Pinki and Švaba, as they navigate their preadolescence and early teenage years in New Belgrade during the tumultuous Yugoslav Wars (1991–95).

Full summary

The whole story of The Wound, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Wound Box Office

The Wound grossed $213,043 worldwide. $30,678 came from the US and Canada and $182,365 (86%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$213K

US & Canada
$30.7K
International
$182.4K
US & Canada 14% Rest of the world 86%
Videos

The Wound Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

The Wound (Inxeba) Trailer 2017 | Dir: John Trengove | South Africa
  • Trailer The Wound Official Trailer | Kaleidoscope 2017
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Wound?

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

  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
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the main backdrop of 'The Wound'?

Details

The Wound Also Known As

14 alternative titles, including “Les initiés” and “Inexba The Wound”.

Also known as
  • Les initiés
  • Inexba The Wound
  • Os Iniciados
  • Рана
  • The Wound (Inxeba)
  • 割愛
  • Yara
  • La herida
  • Раната
  • הפצע
  • Inxeba. Zakazana ścieżka
  • A seb
+2 more
  • Die Wunde
  • 伤口

Seen The Wound?

FAQ

The Wound FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is The Wound?

The Wound runs 1 hour 28 minutes (88 minutes).

When was The Wound released?

The Wound was released on August 16, 2017.

Who directed The Wound?

The Wound was directed by John Trengove.

More films by John Trengove

Who is in the cast of The Wound?

The Wound stars Bongile Mantsai, Nakhane Touré and Gamelihle Bovana, among 9 credited actors.

How much did The Wound make at the box office?

The Wound grossed $213,043 worldwide ($30,678 domestic, $182,365 international).

How is The Wound rated?

The Wound has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 80 on Metacritic, 63% on TMDB and 3.6/5 on Letterboxd.

Does The Wound have a post-credit scene?

No. The Wound has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is The Wound in?

The original language of The Wound is Bangla.

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