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Hotel Rwanda

Play trailer Poster for Hotel Rwanda PG-13 2004 2h 1m Biography History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
91% Tomatometer 188 Reviews 94% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Hutu Paul Rusesabagina manages the Hôtel des Mille Collines and lives a happy life with his Tutsi wife and their three children, but when Hutu military forces initiate a campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Tutsi minority, Paul is compelled to allow refugees to take shelter in his hotel. As the U.N. pulls out, Paul must struggle alone to protect the Tutsi refugees in the face of the escalating violence later known as the Rwandan genocide.
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Hotel Rwanda

Hotel Rwanda

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Critics Consensus

A sobering and heartfelt tale about massacre that took place in Rwanda while most of the world looked away.

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Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek Jul 6, 2010
Cheadle, in his richest role since Devil in a Blue Dress, burrows deep inside this complex man, who discovers in himself a strength he never knew he possessed as he faces the disillusion of all the "civilized" notions he believes in. Go to Full Review
Time Out Jun 24, 2006
There's a tidiness and sense of convenience in the film's stock characterisations and button-pushing plotting that detracts from its impact. The film doesn't just contrive to contain the slaughter, but also its own anger. Go to Full Review
Dan Jolin Empire Magazine Apr 1, 2006
4/5
Who cares about overdone orchestral blasts or signpost-waving lines of dialogue when such raw, naked, painful humanity is displayed by Don Cheadle in the central role? Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Nov 3, 2025
3.5/4
A movie that continues to reverberate with such tropical -- and topical -- force that the ink is forever drying on its condemnation of a planet that operates with blinders firmly attached. Go to Full Review
Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Mar 17, 2025
7/10
Despite the galvanizing events taking place onscreen (highlighted by staggering shots of corpse-littered roads and other aftermaths of mass executions), what really sells the premise is Cheadle’s performance. Go to Full Review
Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Sep 11, 2020
4.0/4.0
Don Cheadle absolutely, 100% deserves the Oscar for Best Actor. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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zoop S @zoopswishington 2 days ago incredible i think everyone should see it, Don Cheadle's performance is gut wrenching and so good. It really made the horror seem close to home and familiar. See more Robert P @Superbad 6 days ago Hotel Rwanda = a *4.5* star Movie See more Daniel L @Hotchopeppa Sep 7, 2026 Amazing and tragic movie. Just watch it. See more Jay W @RT52162311 Jun 21, 2026 What this film does so well, along with the acting and cinematography, is how it shows courage in the face of overwhelming odds. This movie does not shy away from showing exactly how horrible the situation is. There are scenes so traumatic and horrifying that even Joaquin Phoenix Joker had to be the voice of reason. But the movie doesn't dwell in the ugly but instead focuses on our hero's struggle to overcome it. And that is where this film excels so many that aim just to make people sad. Paul is a compelling hero. He isn't an action hero who shoots the bad guys. But when the chips are down, he can negociate the best of them. And this movie ratchets up tension perfectly. Each scene feels more dire than the previous. Every time it feels like our heroes are gaining ground, another obstacle gets thrown in their way and the clock keeps on ticking. It is a movie that both parts show how horrible mankind can be, but also, how resilient and courageous a person can be. See more Sérgio N @RT03383691 May 4, 2026 A heavy film with an incredible historical context. Excellent performance by Don "War Machine" Cheadle (Oscar-nominated), as well as other important names like Joaquin Phoenix and even the classic Nick Nolte. Despite being, unfortunately, based on real events, it uses a more restrained, less sensationalist tone, even though everything is still very violent, but without being too explicit. The critique focuses heavily on the indifference of the international community, especially the Western powers, the UN, etc., which certainly failed to act effectively to prevent that barbarity. A tough film, but extremely necessary as a historical memory, creating an eternal warning so that similar tragedies are avoided. See more Tyler P. @TylerPhoenixMD Mar 29, 2026 This is an amazing piece of cinema! Amazing acting, felling truly in the moment. Covers a horrible event in the best possible way! See more Read all reviews
Hotel Rwanda

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Movie Info

Synopsis Hutu Paul Rusesabagina manages the Hôtel des Mille Collines and lives a happy life with his Tutsi wife and their three children, but when Hutu military forces initiate a campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Tutsi minority, Paul is compelled to allow refugees to take shelter in his hotel. As the U.N. pulls out, Paul must struggle alone to protect the Tutsi refugees in the face of the escalating violence later known as the Rwandan genocide.
Director
Terry George
Producer
A. Kitman Ho, Terry George
Screenwriter
Terry George, Keir Pearson
Distributor
United Artists
Production Co
United Artists
Rating
PG-13 (Disturbing Images|Brief Sexuality|Violence)
Genre
Biography, History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 22, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$23.5M
Runtime
2h 1m
Sound Mix
Surround
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