Logo What's After the Movie
In Johannesburg's gritty underbelly, Tsotsi, a ruthless gang leader, reigns supreme through fear and intimidation. But after a fateful encounter with a helpless mother, his life takes an unexpected turn. The abandoned infant's cries awaken a long-dormant sense of compassion within him, setting off a transformative journey that challenges the very fabric of his brutal existence.

In Johannesburg's gritty underbelly, Tsotsi, a ruthless gang leader, reigns supreme through fear and intimidation. But after a fateful encounter with a helpless mother, his life takes an unexpected turn. The abandoned infant's cries awaken a long-dormant sense of compassion within him, setting off a transformative journey that challenges the very fabric of his brutal existence.

Does Tsotsi have end credit scenes?

No!

Tsotsi does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Tsotsi

Explore the complete cast of Tsotsi, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Tsotsi

See how Tsotsi is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Tsotsi stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

70

Metascore

7.1

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

%

TOMATOMETER

review

0%

User Score

TMDB

69

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate Tsotsi Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Tsotsi with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Tsotsi: Redemption Quiz: Test your knowledge on the powerful South African film, Tsotsi, and its themes of crime, morality, and redemption.

What is Tsotsi's real name before he assumes his criminal identity?

Awards & Nominations for Tsotsi

Explore awards

Discover all the awards and nominations received by Tsotsi, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how Tsotsi and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.


78th Academy Awards 2006

Win

Foreign Language Film

59th British Academy Film Awards 2006

Nomination

Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer

Nomination

Best Film Not in the English Language

2005 Toronto International Film Festival Awards 2005

Gavin Hood
Win

People's Choice Award

Gavin Hood

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Tsotsi

See more

Read the complete plot summary of Tsotsi, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


As his mother succumbs to illness, David flees from an abusive father, finding temporary refuge among a group of other homeless children living in abandoned concrete construction pipes. Fast forward a few years, David has reinvented himself as Tsotsi, the charismatic leader of a gang that includes his companions Butcher, Aap, and Boston.

After a robbery goes wrong, resulting in a murder committed by Butcher, Tsotsi and Boston engage in a violent confrontation that leaves Boston severely wounded. In a reckless move, Tsotsi shoots Pumla, a young woman, during a car theft, only to be shocked by the discovery of a three-month-old baby in the back seat. In a desperate attempt to cover his tracks, he hastily removes valuables from the car and takes the infant back to his makeshift home. Pumla, though surviving the ordeal, ends up wheelchair-bound and collaborates with a police artist to create a composite sketch of Tsotsi, leading to a public hunt for him.

Feeling overwhelmed by the responsibility of caring for the baby, Tsotsi spots Miriam, a woman with a young child, gathering water. He follows her to her home and, under the threat of a gun, coerces her into feeding the kidnapped child. Simultaneously, Fela, a wealthy gang leader, attempts to lure Aap, Boston, and Butcher into his organization. During a subsequent visit, Miriam implores Tsotsi to let her care for the baby on his behalf, a request he ultimately consents to.

Determined to look after the injured Boston, Tsotsi instructs Aap and Butcher to help take him to his home. Nicknamed Teacher Boy by his friends, Boston reveals he has never completed the teachers’ examination. Tsotsi promises to help raise the needed funds for Boston to take the exam, leading them to plan yet another robbery.

This time, Tsotsi and Aap target Pumla’s house. When Pumla’s husband, John, returns from the hospital, they ambush him and tie him up. Aap watches John, while Butcher scours the bedroom for valuables, and Tsotsi rummages through the baby’s room. However, chaos ensues when Aap accidentally triggers an alarm system while raiding the fridge, prompting Butcher to attempt to silence John with a pistol. In a swift act of violence, Tsotsi shoots and kills Butcher, and he narrowly escapes with Aap just as law enforcement arrives on the scene.

Haunted by the killing of Butcher and fearful of Tsotsi’s unpredictable nature, Aap decides to leave the gang. When Tsotsi returns to Miriam’s home, she reveals that she knows the baby’s origins, urging him to return the child to its rightful parents.

Emboldened by her conviction, Tsotsi resolves to return the baby. He arrives at John’s house and communicates through the intercom that he will leave the child outside the gate. Just then, an officer stationed nearby alerts Captain Smit, who hastens to the scene, arriving just as Tsotsi prepares to leave.

Surrounded by police who demand he return the infant, John pleas for them to lower their weapons, requesting to reclaim the baby himself. In a moment of poignant clarity, Tsotsi holds the baby tightly in his arms while John implores him to relinquish the child. Overcome with emotion, Tsotsi hands the baby to John and then, at the direction of the police, slowly raises his hands in surrender, submitting to his fate as the film reaches its haunting conclusion.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Tsotsi

See more

Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Tsotsi. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Official Trailer

Cars Featured in Tsotsi

See 12 more

Explore all cars featured in Tsotsi, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Audi

1993

Cabriolet

BMW

1996

320i E36

Datsun

Skyline

Ford

2002

Bantam

Hyundai

1988

Sonata

Mercedes-Benz

1960

220 S W111

Mercedes-Benz

2001

C 240 W203

Mitsubishi

1998

Colt Rodeo

Renault

9

Toyota

1988

Conquest

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


babyslumcriminalstreet lifeshantytownredemptioncharacter name as titlehoodhuman connectioninequalityyounggangster crimevomitingteenage boyblood splatterbreastsbead curtaincaught in the rainrolling diceurban violencewinewalletwaitressusing newspaper as diaperunderwearunderpasstraintrain trackthunderthieftheftteatearsteacherswollen eyesurrogate familysubwaysubjective camerastabbingspittingsorrowsleeping in a drainage pipeshootingshiveringshedsewing machinesewersafesafety beltsadness

Articles, Reviews & Explainers About Tsotsi

Stay updated on Tsotsi with in-depth articles, critical reviews, and ending explainers. Explore hidden meanings, major themes, and expert insights into the film’s story and impact.


Similar Movies You Should Know About

Browse a curated list of movies similar in genre, tone, characters, or story structure. Discover new titles like the one you're watching, perfect for fans of related plots, vibes, or cinematic styles.


© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.