The Last King of Scotland
A young Scottish doctor becomes entangled in the seductive authority and murderous paranoia of Idi Amin's Uganda.
Overview
A young doctor finds himself caught in the chaos of a dictator's regime, where morality is tested and survival becomes paramount.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Brutal
- intense
- paranoid
- brooding
- serious film night
- historical drama viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film to be a gripping and brutal political thriller powered by Forest Whitaker's commanding performance, while questioning its white-outsider framing and historical omissions.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Idi Amin wins Nicholas Garrigan's trust through theatrical charm before exposing the murderous reality of his rule.
The fictionalized Ugandan crisis is primarily experienced through Scottish doctor Nicholas Garrigan, a framing choice criticized for centering a white Westerner.
Clinic work, presidential access, and personal relationships increasingly become sites of threat as Amin's regime turns violent.
Garrigan's decision to serve as Amin's physician draws him from humanitarian medical work into complicity and mortal danger.
Films like The Last King of Scotland, and why
The Constant Gardener
shared political thriller tension, authoritarian power, moral compromise, and historical drama
Hotel Rwanda
shared African political upheaval, colonial power dynamics, and intimate human drama
The Death of Stalin
shared dictator-centered psychological intensity, corruption, and morally compromised protagonists
The Year of the Everlasting Storm
shared oppressive political atmosphere, charismatic authoritarianism, and survival-driven suspense
Movie Details
- Director
- Kevin Macdonald
- Release Date
- 2006-09-27
- Runtime
- 123 min
- Rating
- 7.4 / 10 (2461)
Cast
- Forest Whitaker
- James McAvoy
- Simon McBurney
- Gillian Anderson
- Kerry Washington
- David Oyelowo
- Abby Mukiibi Nkaaga
- Adam Kotz
- Barbara Rafferty
- David Ashton
Where to watch in United States
- 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 The Last King of Scotland about?
- A young Scottish doctor becomes entangled in the seductive authority and murderous paranoia of Idi Amin's Uganda.
- What is The Last King of Scotland like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Last King of Scotland as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Last King of Scotland violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in The Last King of Scotland as brutal.
- What did critics think of The Last King of Scotland?
- Critics broadly found the film to be a gripping and brutal political thriller powered by Forest Whitaker's commanding performance, while questioning its white-outsider framing and historical omissions.
- Which films are like The Last King of Scotland?
- Films with a similar feel include The Constant Gardener, Hotel Rwanda, The Death of Stalin, and The Year of the Everlasting Storm.
- How long is The Last King of Scotland?
- The Last King of Scotland runs 123 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Last King of Scotland?
- In United States, The Last King of Scotland is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
