13 Days, 13 Nights: In the Hell of Kabul

13 jours, 13 nuits

20251h 52m Directed by Martin Bourboulon
6.9
(70 votes)
ActionWarThriller

Overview

Kabul, August 15, 2021. US troops are preparing to withdraw from Afghanistan, while the Taliban are marching on the capital to seize power. Amid the chaos, Commander Mohamed Bida and his men are in charge of security at the French embassy, the last Western mission to remain open. Trapped along with 500 people, left to their own devices, the team must reach the airport at all costs. A perilous mission with no guarantee of success to flee the hell of Kabul and rescue what remains of humanity.

13 Days, 13 Nights: In the Hell of Kabul

Against the Backdrop of Chaos: A Gritty Portrayal of War

Diego Santillán
Diego SantillánOct 1, 2025
"13 Days, 13 Nights: In the Hell of Kabul" is a gripping and intense thriller that plunges viewers into the heart of the chaotic withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in August 2021. The film's narrative is centered around Commander Mohamed Bida and his team, who are tasked with securing the French embassy, the last Western mission still operational in Kabul. As the Taliban closes in, the team must navigate the treacherous landscape to reach the airport, where their only hope for escape lies. With its breakneck pace and unflinching portrayal of war, the movie is a visceral and thought-provoking experience that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats.

The film's strongest aspect is its ability to convey the sense of desperation and urgency that defined those fateful days in Kabul. The cinematography is stark and unvarnished, capturing the dust-choked streets, the panicked crowds, and the eerie silence that falls over the city as the Taliban asserts its control. The cast delivers solid performances, with the actors bringing a sense of authenticity to their roles as they struggle to stay alive amidst the chaos. The action sequences are tense and well-choreographed, with a keen sense of spatial awareness that adds to the overall sense of realism. However, the movie's character development is somewhat lacking, with some characters feeling more like archetypes than fully fleshed-out human beings.

Despite this limitation, "13 Days, 13 Nights: In the Hell of Kabul" is a powerful and unsettling film that sheds light on a pivotal moment in modern history. The movie's themes of survival, duty, and humanity are timely and resonant, and the filmmakers' decision to focus on the experiences of those trapped in the embassy adds a unique perspective to the narrative. While the film's TMDB rating of 6.879/10 suggests a somewhat mixed response from audiences, this reviewer believes that "13 Days, 13 Nights: In the Hell of Kabul" is a gripping and thought-provoking thriller that is well worth watching. With its unflinching portrayal of war and its thought-provoking themes, the movie is a must-see for fans of the action and war genres, and a sobering reminder of the human cost of conflict.

CAST

Roschdy Zem
Roschdy Zem
Commandant Mohamed Bida
Lyna Khoudri
Lyna Khoudri
Eva
Sidse Babett Knudsen
Sidse Babett Knudsen
Kate
Christophe Montenez
Christophe Montenez
Martin
Sina Parvaneh
Sina Parvaneh
Général Sediqi
Yan Tual
Yan Tual
JC
Fatima Adoum
Fatima Adoum
Amina
Shoaib Saïd
Shoaib Saïd
Nangialay
Sayed Hashimi
Haider
Benjamin Hicquel
Benjamin Hicquel
Stéphane Raid

Trailer

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