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Poster for Virunga

2014 | 100 min | Documentary, War

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had almost no lasting buzz and soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for the curious and history buffs. If you loved 20 Days in Mariupol or For Sama, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Intense, eye-opening.
The pace
Moves along nicely, at 1 hr 40 min.
What might put you off
Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Virunga in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is Africa’s oldest national park, a UNESCO world heritage site, and a contested ground among insurgencies seeking to topple the government that see untold profits in the land. Among this ongoing power struggle, Virunga also happens to be the last natural habitat for the critically endangered mountain gorilla. The only thing standing in the way of the forces closing in around the gorillas: a handful of passionate park rangers and journalists fighting to secure the park’s borders and expose the corruption of its enemies. Filled with shocking footage, and anchored by the surprisingly deep and gentle characters of the gorillas themselves, Virunga is a galvanizing call to action around an ongoing political and environmental crisis in the Congo.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 95 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.9 out of 10

  • AwardsBelow par

    Nominated for 1 Oscar.

  • Reach & staying powerBelow par

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 18K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Orlando von Einsiedel

  • André Bauma
  • Emmanuel de Merode
  • Mélanie Gouby
  • Rodrigue Mugaruka Katembo
  • Vianney Kazarama