Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- humane
- witty
- warm
- reflective evening
- french cinema night
What critics said
Critics found the film polished, well-meaning, and warmly performed, but too scattershot and contrived to fully deliver its social message.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Samba urgently seeks working papers while navigating unstable low-wage employment in France.
The film combines Samba's precarious migrant life and Alice's burnout with comedic situations and a big-hearted register.
Samba's struggle for legal work and Alice's attempt to recover from burnout unfold as separate trajectories that bring them together.
Samba's Senegalese background, language barriers, and long-term life in France shape the central conflict.
Films like Samba, and why
The Intouchables
shared french social dramedy framework, class tension, warmth, and a charismatic lead performance
The Visitor
shared focus on migration, precarious work, cultural displacement, and humane ensemble storytelling
The Past
shared romantic drama about emotionally damaged adults finding connection amid professional and personal instability
Movie Details
- Directors
- Éric Toledano, Olivier Nakache
- Release Date
- 2014-10-15
- Runtime
- 118 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (1002)
Cast
- Omar Sy
- Charlotte Gainsbourg
- Tahar Rahim
- Izïa Higelin
- Issaka Sawadogo
- Hélène Vincent
- Youngar Fall
- Christiane Millet
- Jacqueline Jehanneuf
- Liya Kebede
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Philo, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Samba about?
- A Senegalese migrant and a burned-out executive find unexpected solidarity while struggling against precarious work and emotional exhaustion in Paris.
- What is Samba like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Samba as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Samba violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Samba.
- What did critics think of Samba?
- Critics found the film polished, well-meaning, and warmly performed, but too scattershot and contrived to fully deliver its social message.
- Which films are like Samba?
- Films with a similar feel include The Intouchables, The Visitor, and The Past.
- How long is Samba?
- Samba runs 118 minutes.
- Where can I watch Samba?
- In United States, Samba streams on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Philo, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel.
