Sign in
Trailer

Tsotsi

2005Movie1 h 34 minR

CrimeDrama
75
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.2Metacritic707.1Rotten Tomatoes82%86%

A deeply moving, tense crime movie about everyday modern life and crime, with standout performances and world-building.

Good for friends night · teens · thought-provoking

Skip it if you want something to laugh at

Where to watch

Set your services

Fingerprint

Not for laughs, warmth or comfort.

Movies with

Story

In this world... Redemption comes just once.

A young South African boy from the Johannesburg ghetto named Tsotsi, meaning Gangster, leaves home as a child to get away from his helpless parents. Now a teenage thug, Tsotsi finds a baby in the back seat of a car he's just stolen. He decides that it is his responsibility to care for the infant and in the process learns that maybe the criminal life isn’t the best way.

Feels like

  • Gritty Social Realism
  • Redemption Arc
  • South African Township Drama
  • Emotionally Devastating
  • Crime Thriller Elements
  • Powerful Debut Performance
  • Poignant Human Connection
  • Post-Apartheid Context
  • Visceral & Raw
  • Acclaimed Oscar Winner

Cast

12 of 12

Crew

Directed by
Gavin Hood
Written by
Gavin Hood, Athol Fugard
Produced by
Peter Fudakowski
Music by
Paul Hepker, Mark Kilian

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

December 23, 2005 · 1 h 34 min · R

Released
December 23, 2005
Runtime
1 h 34 min
Age rating
R
Content
Violence, Strong Language, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Crime, Drama
Original language
Tswana
Also spoken
Southern Sotho, Afrikaans, Zulu, English
Made in
South Africa, United Kingdom
Budget
$3 million
Box office
$10 million
Available in
61 countries

Tropes

Spiteful Spit, And Then What?, Bait-and-Switch Gunshot +9

  • Spiteful Spit
  • And Then What?
  • Bait-and-Switch Gunshot
  • Kick the Dog
  • Revised Ending
  • Morality Pet
  • Anti-Hero
  • Children Raise You
  • Setting Update
  • Dramatic Gun Cock
  • Reasonable Authority Figure
  • Token White

12 of 17 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream Tsotsi?"

Questions about Tsotsi

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Tsotsi?

KanopyHooplaPlex

In the United States, Tsotsi is free with ads on Kanopy, Hoopla, and Plex. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 54 other countries.

Is Tsotsi worth watching?

75
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 75 (IMDb 7.2, Rotten Tomatoes 82%, and Metacritic 70).

Is Tsotsi plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (9 of 10) and pathos (9 of 10) more than on its plot.

Was Tsotsi a box office hit?

Budget$3 million
Box office$10 million

Yes: it cost about $3 million to make and earned $10 million worldwide, 3.3 times its budget.

Is Tsotsi in English?

TswanaSouthern SothoAfrikaansZuluEnglish

No, it was made in Tswana, with some Southern Sotho, Afrikaans, Zulu, and English.