Overview
A haunting portrayal of humanity's darkest hour during a brutal civil conflict in Rwanda.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- harrowing
- mournful
- politically urgent
- serious historical viewing
- human rights film discussion
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as an effective, emotionally serious account of the Rwandan genocide, strengthened by Idris Elba's lead performance despite some fragmentation.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Augustin, Jeanne, Martine, and Honoré anchor the genocide in personal experience while the film surveys Rwanda's wider collapse.
The film presents the Hutu-Tutsi conflict within Rwanda's colonial construction and international political failures.
The story uses Augustin's family and community to give human scale to the deaths of nearly 800,000 people.
The plot moves between the genocide and its aftermath, using recollection and parallel experiences to convey enduring trauma.
Films like Sometimes in April, and why
Hotel Rwanda
historical drama confronting genocide, colonial legacy, and moral responsibility through intimate personal perspectives
Rwanda Hotel
devastating true-history drama depicting mass violence and the limits of international intervention
The Killing Fields
politically engaged war drama portraying atrocity, survivor trauma, and institutional failure
Schindler's List
historical drama about ethnic persecution rendered through intimate character experience and harrowing realism
Movie Details
- Director
- Raoul Peck
- Release Date
- 2005-02-17
- Runtime
- 140 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (91)
Cast
- Idris Elba
- Carole Karemera
- Pamela Nomvete
- Oris Erhuero
- Fraser James
- Abby Mukiibi Nkaaga
- Cleophas Kabasita
- Noah Emmerich
- Debra Winger
- Peninah Abatoni
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max
- 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 Sometimes in April about?
- A harrowing, multi-perspective drama that gives intimate human scale to Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and its long aftermath.
- What is Sometimes in April like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Sometimes in April as measured, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Sometimes in April violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Sometimes in April as graphic.
- What did critics think of Sometimes in April?
- Critics broadly regard the film as an effective, emotionally serious account of the Rwandan genocide, strengthened by Idris Elba's lead performance despite some fragmentation.
- Which films are like Sometimes in April?
- Films with a similar feel include Hotel Rwanda, Rwanda Hotel, The Killing Fields, and Schindler's List.
- How long is Sometimes in April?
- Sometimes in April runs 140 minutes.
- Where can I watch Sometimes in April?
- In United States, Sometimes in April streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max.
