Escape from Mogadishu

In 1991, Somalia is ravaged by a civil war between the Barre government and rebels led by Mohamed Farrah Aidid. Meanwhile, both the North and South Korean embassies are lobbying to be admitted into the United Nations and looking towards the Somali government for support. As South Korean ambassador Han Sin-seong confronts his North Korean counterpart, Rim Yong-su, at a hotel for sabotaging his appointment with President Barre, they find that the rebels have entered Mogadishu.

As clashes break out, Aidid threatens embassies who refuse to support him. Both the North and South Koreans realize that they must immediately leave the country. Sin-seong and an intelligence officer, Kim Dae-jin head to the airport but are sent back as they lack official papers. Likewise, the North Koreans fail to make it to the airport and are sent back. In desperation, North Korean intelligence officer Tae Jun-ki seeks help from rebels he had hired to sabotage the South Koreans. Instead, the rebels betray him and ransack the embassy. Yong-su then orders an evacuation to the Chinese embassy, only to find it abandoned and looted. They are discovered by a group of child soldiers, prompting the North Koreans to play dead before fleeing. Stumbling right outside the South Korean embassy, Yong-su yells for sanctuary, despite Jun-ki protesting that they would be called traitors in Pyongyang. Just then, a group of rebels approach but are repelled by embassy security. Seeing the North Koreans in danger, Sin-seong, who overhears them, lets them all in.

The suspicious North Koreans refuse to eat the food prepared by the South Koreans before Sin-seong reassures them by swapping his rice bowl with Yong-su's and eating from it. Dae-jin, sensing a propaganda opportunity, covertly takes pictures of the meal and steals the North Koreans's diplomatic passports to make defection certificates, but is discovered by Jun-ki, leading to a fistfight. Yong-su and Sin-seong separate them, reiterating the need to set aside political differences to escape. With both the Americans and Chinese already having left, both ambassadors agree to seek help from their other remaining allies. While the North Koreans are rebuffed by the Egyptian embassy, the South Koreans are informed by the Italian embassy that they can join a Red Cross evacuation flight to Kenya, but that the North Koreans cannot, as Italy and North Korea do not have diplomatic relations. Sin-seong convinces the Italian ambassador to relent by lying that the North Koreans are defecting.

The Koreans bulletproof their cars with bags of dirt and books, and make white flags from their clothes. The convoy departs during salah, allowing them to pass unscathed while the rebels are in prayer. At a Somali army roadblock, Dae-jin, driving the lead car, negotiates with the commander for passage, but Sin-seong's secretary, driving the last car, sticks his white flag out of the window. The guards mistake the pole for a gun and start firing at the Koreans, forcing them to retreat. The convoy, already being pursued by the Somali army, runs into a group of rebels, who chase after them as well. Eventually, the Koreans arrive right outside the Italian embassy as the Somali army and the rebels retreat. Italian troops open the gates and secure the Koreans. Jun-ki, whose car had separated from the convoy and was last to arrive, dies after having been shot in the chase; he is buried inside the Italian embassy.

The next day, the Koreans board the plane to Kenya. As they land, Sin-seong realizes that both parties have separate delegations waiting to receive their respective groups. Yong-su and Sin-seong conclude that they cannot be seen together, as neither nation will believe their experiences but instead punish them. As passengers exit the plane, the diplomats bid each other farewell, before promptly splitting into their original groups to join their respective delegations, who take them into buses traveling on opposite directions.

• Kim Yoon-seok as Han Sin-seong, Ambassador of South Korea to Somalia{{cite web|last=Conran|first=Pierce|url=https://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/news.jsp?pageIndex=1&blbdComCd=601006&seq=5174&mode=VIEW&returnUrl=&searchKeyword=|title=RYOO Seung-wan Plots ESCAPE with KIM Yun-seok, ZO In-sung|website=Korean Film Biz Zone|date=June 20, 2019|access-date=June 14, 2021|archive-date=August 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812144906/http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/news.jsp?pageIndex=1&blbdComCd=601006&seq=5174&mode=VIEW&returnUrl=&searchKeyword=|url-status=live}}
• Zo In-sung as Kang Dae-jin, a South Korean ANSP operative and attached as counselor of the embassy{{cite news|url=https://entertain.naver.com/movie/now/read?oid=108&aid=0002961705|title=[단독]류승완 감독 '모가디슈' 올여름 개봉 확정..유일 韓텐트폴|trans-title=[Exclusive] Director Ryu Seung-wan's 'Mogadishu' is confirmed to be released this summer..The only Korean tentpole|author=Jeon Hyung-hwa|work=Star News|publisher=Naver|date=June 8, 2021|access-date=June 14, 2021|language=ko|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029180134/https://entertain.naver.com/movie/now/read?oid=108&aid=0002961705|url-status=live}}
• Huh Joon-ho as Rim Yong-su, Ambassador of North Korea to Somalia
• Koo Kyo-hwan as Tae Jun-ki, a North Korean MSS operative and attached as counselor of the embassy
• Kim So-jin as Kim Myung-hee, wife of Ambassador Han
• Jung Man-sik as Gong Su-cheol, secretary of Ambassador Han
• Kim Jae-hwa as Jo Soo-jin, staff officer of the Embassy of South Korea
• Park Kyung-hye as Park Ji-eun, translator of the Embassy of South Korea
• Enrico Ianniello{{Cite news|url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2021/07/28/entertainment/movies/Escape-from-Mogadishu-Kim-Yoonseok-interview/20210728184200545.html|title=Kim Yoon-seok admits scale of 'Escape from Mogadishu' was daunting|author=LEE JAE-LIM|publisher=Korea JoongAng Daily|date=July 28, 2021|access-date=September 11, 2022|archive-date=September 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220911090556/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2021/07/28/entertainment/movies/Escape-from-Mogadishu-Kim-Yoonseok-interview/20210728184200545.html|url-status=live}} as Ambassador Mario Sica{{Cite news|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20210811000882 |title =[Herald interview] Former ambassador recalls harrowing escape from Mogadishu in 1991 |publisher=The Korea Herald|date=August 13, 2021|access-date=September 11, 2022}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.gagarin-magazine.it/2022/06/visto-da-noi/escape-from-mogadishu-un-film-corale-assolutamente-da-vedere/ |title=Escape From Mogadishu: Un Film Corale Assolutamente da Vedere |publisher=Gagarin orbite culturali|date=June 6, 2022|access-date=September 11, 2022|language=it}}

• Yoon Kyung-ho as ANSP senior operative{{Cite news |url=https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=477&aid=0000312086 |author=Kang Hyo-jin |title=[무:비하인드]'모가디슈' 윤경호, 특별출연 위해 모로코 날아간 사연 |trans-title=[No: Behind the Scenes] 'Mogadishu' Yoon Kyung-ho, the story of flying to Morocco for a special appearance |work=Spotify News |publisher=Naver |date=July 31, 2021 |access-date=July 31, 2021 |language=ko |archive-date=March 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331064526/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=477&aid=0000312086 |url-status=live }}
• Peter Kawa as Khalil, a corrupt police officer
• Alex Kinuthia as Hassan, a rebel
• Alan Oyugi as the Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs
• Andrew Ng'ang'a as Swama, a Somali employee of the Embassy of South Korea{{Cite web |last=Ngina |first=Fay |date=November 10, 2021 |title=Six Kenyan Actors Featured in Netflix's 'Escape from Mogadishu' |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/news/article/2001428814/six-kenyan-actors-featured-in-netflixs-escape-from-mogadishu |access-date=December 31, 2023 |website=The Standard}}

Escape from Mogadishu was based on the 2006 novel Escape, a fictionalized account written by former South Korean ambassador to Somalia Kang Shin-sung regarding an incident in 1991 during the Somali Civil War when the South Korean embassy in Mogadishu sheltered their North Korean counterparts before evacuating to the Italian embassy and fleeing to Kenya together, after which the North Koreans separated.{{Cite news |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/2670114 |author=Kim Hoo-ran |title=Former ambassador recalls harrowing escape from Mogadishu in 1991 |work= The Korea Herald |date=12 August 2021 |access-date=15 February 2025 |language=en}} Director Ryoo Seung-wan also partially based his script on records kept by the US embassy in Somalia.{{Cite news |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/2644340 |author=Song Seung-hyun |title='Escape from Mogadishu' reinterprets true events of Somali Civil War |work= The Korea Herald |date=3 July 2021 |access-date=15 February 2025 |language=en}}

On June 10, 2019, Kim Yoon-seok and Zo In-sung positively considered appearing for the film. This was first appearance of the actors together as well as their first appearance in a Ryoo Seung-wan film.{{Cite news |url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=108&aid=0002789086 |title=[단독]김윤석·조인성, 류승완 감독 '탈출'로 첫 호흡 |trans-title=[Exclusive] Kim Yun-seok, Jo In-seong, first breath with director Ryu Seung-wan's 'Escape' |work=Star News |publisher=Naver |author=Jeong Hwa |date=June 10, 2019 |access-date=June 14, 2021 |language=ko |archive-date=October 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029180136/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=108&aid=0002789086 |url-status=live }} Huh Joon-ho confirmed his appearance in June 2019.

The film was entirely shot in Morocco in the second half of 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2024/05/398_310342.html |title= Most anticipated movies this summer, from 'Escape from Mogadishu' to 'Black Widow' |website= The Korea Times |author= Kwak Yeon-soo |access-date= June 14, 2021|date= June 11, 2021|language=en}} The post production work started in May 2020.{{Cite news |url= https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/015/0004337792?sid=103 |author= Yoo Jae-hyuk |title= '승리호' '모가디슈' '영웅' '반도'…한국영화 대작, 7~8월 개봉한다 |trans-title= 'Victory', 'Mogadishu', 'Hero', 'Peninsula'... Korean movie blockbuster to be released in July or August |work= The Korea Economic Daily |publisher= Naver |date= May 10, 2020 |access-date= June 14, 2021 |language= ko |archive-date= October 29, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211029180135/https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/015/0004337792?sid=103 |url-status= live }}

On July 22, 2021, CJ CGV announced that the film would be screened at all theaters including IMAX, ScreenX, 4DX, and 4DX screens starting on July 28, 2021. It is the second Korean film after the 2020 action-horror film Peninsula to simultaneously screen in all formats in the CGV special theaters.{{Cite news |url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/003/0010621438 |title=CGV, '모가디슈' 모십니다...아이맥스·4DX 등 특별관 상영 |trans-title=CGV welcomes 'Mogadishu'... Screening in special theaters such as IMAX and 4DX |author=Kim Ji-eun |work=Newsis |publisher=Naver |date=July 22, 2021 |access-date=July 22, 2021 |language=ko |archive-date=October 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027190717/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/003/0010621438 |url-status=live }}

Escape from Mogadishu was invited to be the opening film of the 20th New York Asian Film Festival. The two-week festival was held from August 6 to 22, 2021 in New York. The film was screened at Walter Reade Theater, Film at Lincoln Center on August 6, 2021,{{Cite web |url= https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanmacdonald/2021/07/20/20th-new-york-asian-film-festival-screens-several-south-korean-films/ |title= 20th New York Asian Film Festival Screens Several South Korean Films |last= MacDonald |first= Joan |date= July 20, 2021 |access-date= July 25, 2021 |website= Forbes |archive-date= October 28, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211028173136/https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanmacdonald/2021/07/20/20th-new-york-asian-film-festival-screens-several-south-korean-films/ |url-status= live }} and at 10th Korean Film Festival Frankfurt on October 20, 2021, as opening film.{{Cite news |url= https://projectkffm.de/en/escape-from-mogadishu-2 |title= Escape from Mogadishu |work= Korean Film Festival Frankfurt |publisher= WordPress |date= October 20, 2021 |access-date= December 29, 2021 |archive-date= December 29, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211229103735/https://projectkffm.de/en/escape-from-mogadishu-2 |url-status= dead }} The film was invited to the New Zealand International Film Festival in Wellington edition was screened on November 5, 2021.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/asia/new-zealand-film-festival-asia-selection-1235086997/ |title=Strong Asian Selection Characterizes New Zealand Film Festival |first=Patrick |last=Frater |date=12 October 2021 |access-date=23 October 2021 |website=Variety |archive-date=October 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010123408/https://variety.com/2021/film/asia/new-zealand-film-festival-asia-selection-1235086997/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url= https://www.nziff.co.nz/2021/wellington/escape-from-mogadishu/ |title= Escape from Mogadishu 2021 - New Zealand International Film Festival |access-date= 23 October 2021 |website= NZIFF |language= en |archive-date= October 23, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211023133931/https://www.nziff.co.nz/2021/wellington/escape-from-mogadishu/ |url-status= live }} It was also screened as the opening film of 16th London Korean Film Festival on November 8, 2021.{{Cite news |url= https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/001/0012777236 |title= '런던에서 만나는 한국 영화' 제16회 런던한국영화제 개막 |trans-title= The 16th London Korean Film Festival opens for 'Korean Movies in London' |author= Choi Yun-jeong |work= Yonhap News Agency |publisher= Naver |date= November 8, 2021 |access-date= November 8, 2021 |language= ko |archive-date= November 8, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211108043311/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/001/0012777236 |url-status= live }}

The film was screened in 42 theaters in North America by August 11, 2021.{{Cite news |url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/015/0004590462 |title='모가디슈' 세계적 흥행…전세계 박스오피스 5위 기염 |trans-title='Mogadishu' is a worldwide hit... #5 at the global box office |author=Ji-min Jang |work=The Korea Economic Daily |publisher=Naver |date=August 11, 2021 |access-date=August 11, 2021 |language=ko |archive-date=October 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027181519/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/015/0004590462 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url= https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/003/0010656392 |title= '모가디슈' 북미 개봉…"단연 올해 최고의 한국영화" 호평 |trans-title= 'Mogadishu' opens in North America... "Best Korean movie of the year by far" |author= Kim Ji-eun |work= Newsis |publisher= Naver |date= August 10, 2021 |access-date= August 11, 2021 |language= ko |archive-date= August 11, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210811083014/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/003/0010656392 |url-status= live }}

In April 2022, it was selected at the 24th edition of Far East Film Festival at Udine held from April 22 to 30.{{Cite web |url= https://windowsonworlds.com/2022/04/20/udine-far-east-film-festival-confirms-lineup-for-24th-edition/ |title= Udine Far East Film Festival Confirms Lineup for 24th Edition |date= 20 April 2022 |access-date= 7 June 2022 |website= Windows on Worlds |language= en |archive-date= May 24, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220524002424/https://windowsonworlds.com/2022/04/20/udine-far-east-film-festival-confirms-lineup-for-24th-edition/ |url-status= live }}

It was re-released in its second run on September 7, 2022, in theatres coinciding with Chuseok holidays.{{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/011/0004090151|title='모가디슈' 9월 7일 재개봉…추석 특수 극장가 활기|trans-title='Mogadishu' will be re-released on September 7th... Chuseok special theater district bustling|author=Choo Seung-hyun|work=Seoul Economic Daily|publisher=Naver|date=August 22, 2022|access-date=August 22, 2022|language=ko|archive-date=August 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220822064758/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/011/0004090151|url-status=live}}

The film was made available for streaming globally on Amazon Prime Video from February 2022. Soon after, it was released in India.{{Cite web|url=https://www.primevideo.com/detail/Escape-from-Mogadishu/0QP95MKCVB937QXKWJESXE0SWM |title=Escape from Mogadishu |website=Prime Video|publisher= Amazon|access-date=March 6, 2022|language=en}}

The film was released on July 28, 2021, on 1,688 screens.{{Cite web|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/films/index/filmsView.jsp?movieCd=20204117|title=KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) The Box office: Escape from Mogadishu (2021)|access-date=November 1, 2021|work=KOFIC|archive-date=November 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103015402/http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/films/index/filmsView.jsp?movieCd=20204117|url-status=live}} According to the integrated computer network for movie theater admissions by the Korea Film Council (KoFiC), the film ranked at first place at the Korean box office by recording 75,624 pre-order audiences as on July 28, 2021, surpassing the audiences of Jungle Cruise.{{Cite news |url= https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/108/0002975961 |title= '모가디슈' 예매 1위 개봉..문화가있는날 마지막 5천원 개봉 |trans-title= 'Mogadishu' opens first in pre-order... Last 5,000 won on Culture Day |author= Jeong Hyung-hwa |work= Star News |publisher= Naver |date= July 28, 2021 |access-date= July 28, 2021 |language= ko |archive-date= July 28, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210728032025/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/108/0002975961 |url-status= live }} The film set the record for the best opening of the year 2021 for all the Korean films released as of July 28, by getting 126,626 audience on the day of release.{{Cite news |url= https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/108/0002976281 |title= '모가디슈' 2021년 韓영화 최고 오프닝 [공식] |trans-title= 'Mogadishu' Best Opening for Korean Movies in 2021 [Official] |author= Kim Mi-hwa |work= Star News |publisher= Naver |date= July 29, 2021 |access-date= July 29, 2021 |language= ko |archive-date= July 29, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210729032953/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/108/0002976281 |url-status= live }} The film maintained its first place at the Korean box office on second day with addition of 89,826 viewers and taking cumulative audience to 226,569.{{Cite news |url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/003/0010637656 |title= 모가디슈, 22만 돌파 1위...보스 베이비2·정글 크루즈 추격 |trans-title= Mogadishu, surpassed 220,000, 1st place... Boss Baby 2, Jungle Cruise chase |author= Son Jeong-bin |work=Newsis |publisher=Naver |date= July 30, 2021|access-date= July 30, 2021|language=ko}} The film by mobilizing 540,000 cumulative audience in 4 days of release became the first Korean film in 2021 to garner 500,000 audience in the shortest period of time. It is also maintaining its number one position at the Korean box office.{{Cite news |url= https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/108/0002977062 |title= '모가디슈', 개봉 4일만 54만 돌파..2021 韓영화 최단 흥행 [공식] |trans-title= 'Mogadishu' surpasses 540,000 in just 4 days of release... The shortest box office hit for a Korean movie in 2021 [Official] |author= Kim Mi-hwa |work= Star News |publisher= Naver |date= August 1, 2021 |access-date= August 1, 2021 |language= ko |archive-date= August 1, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210801041718/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/108/0002977062 |url-status= live }}

The film garnered 1 million cumulative audiences in 7 days of release, thereby becoming highest grosser Korean film of 2021 surpassing the box office figures of film Hard Hit.{{Cite news |url= https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/003/0010645502 |title= '모가디슈' 올해 한국영화 최고 흥행작…100만 돌파(종합) |trans-title= 'Mogadishu' is the highest-grossing Korean movie of the year... Exceeded 1 million (total) |author= Kim Ji-eun |work= Newsis |publisher= Naver |date= August 3, 2021 |access-date= August 3, 2021 |language= ko |archive-date= August 3, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210803150524/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/003/0010645502 |url-status= live }} It surpassed 2 million cumulative audience on 17th day of its release{{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/312/0000494762 |title= [공식] '모가디슈' 올해 한국영화 최초 200만 돌파 |trans-title= [Official] 'Mogadishu' surpasses 2 million for the first time in a Korean movie this year |author= Kim Ji-won |work= Ten Asia |publisher=Naver |date= August 13, 2021 |access-date= August 13, 2021 |language=ko}} and 3 million on 33rd day of release.{{Cite news |url= https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/312/0000497278 |title= '모가디슈' 오늘(29일) 300만 돌파…'블랙 위도우' 제치고 '최고 흥행작' |trans-title= 'Mogadishu' surpassed 3 million today (29th)... ‘Black Widow’ surpasses ‘Best-grossing Film’ |author= Noh Kyu-min |work= Ten Asia |publisher= Naver |date= August 29, 2021 |access-date= August 29, 2021 |language= ko |archive-date= August 29, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210829033501/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/312/0000497278 |url-status= live }} It took 56 days for the film to cross 3.5 million mark. It is the first Korean film to cross 3.5 million cumulative audience in 2021.{{Cite news |url= https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/003/0010730569 |title= 올해 최고 흥행작 '모가디슈' 350만 관객 돌파 |trans-title= 'Mogadishu', the highest-grossing film of the year, surpassed 3.5 million viewers |author= Kim Ji-eun |work= Newsis |publisher= Naver |date= September 21, 2021 |access-date= September 21, 2021 |language= ko |archive-date= October 15, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211015232501/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/003/0010730569 |url-status= live }}

According to Korean Film Council (Kofic) data, {{As of|2021|12|31|df=us|lc=y}} it is the second highest-grossing film among all the films released in the year 2021 in South Korea, and highest-grossing Korean film with gross of US$29 million and 3.61 million admissions.{{Cite web|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/boxOffice_Yearly.jsp?mode=BOXOFFICE_YEAR&selectDt=2021&category=ALL&country=ALL|title=KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System): All the films of Year 2021|access-date=January 1, 2022|work=KOFIC|archive-date=March 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324054612/http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/boxOffice_Yearly.jsp?mode=BOXOFFICE_YEAR&selectDt=2021&category=ALL&country=ALL|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/boxOffice_Yearly.jsp?mode=BOXOFFICE_YEAR&selectDt=2021&category=ALL&country=K|title=KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) The Box office: Korean films of 2021|access-date=January 1, 2022|work=KOFIC|archive-date=March 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324104951/http://koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/boxOffice_Yearly.jsp?mode=BOXOFFICE_YEAR&selectDt=2021&category=ALL&country=K|url-status=live}} And, as per Box Office Mojo it ranks 89 at 2021 Worldwide Box Office.{{Cite web |url= https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2021/ |title= Box Office Mojo: 2021 Worldwide Box Office |website= Box Office Mojo |date= January 1, 2021 |access-date= January 1, 2022 |language= en |archive-date= August 13, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210813093751/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2021/ |url-status= live }}

{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|93|7.60|30}} The website's critics consensus reads: "Its depiction of actual events is questionable, but Escape from Mogadishu is sleekly effective as an intelligent, well-acted action thriller."{{cite Rotten Tomatoes|title=Escape From Mogadishu (2021) |id=escape_from_mogadishu|type=m|access-date= March 6, 2022}}

Kim Ji-eun reviewing for Newsis wrote that the action scenes were spectacular and the humor, though small, stood out. She opined that the film vividly portrayed the horrors of war and the emotions of the characters who faced it. Kim felt that the exotic scenery of Morocco, the filming location, in itself was the main character in the film. Ending her review she wrote, "It's not light entertainment. While the heavy historical background and setting dominate the screen, attention is focused on what kind of variable the restrained emotion that utilizes reality, will affect the box office performance."{{Cite news |url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/003/0010625556 |title=[리뷰]'국뽕'·K신파 걷어낸 류승완표 묵직한 탈출극…'모가디슈' |trans-title=[Review] Ryoo Seung-wan Pyo's heavy escape from 'Gukbong' · K-new wave... 'Mogadishu' |author=Kim Ji-eun |work=Newsis |publisher=Naver |date=July 24, 2021 |access-date=July 24, 2021 |language=ko |archive-date=October 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027181350/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/003/0010625556 |url-status=live }}

Kim Seong-hyeon writing for YTN felt that director Ryoo Seung-wan had reproduced the Somali civil war in 1990 as if it were in 2021, and portrayed the tense situation so well that the audience would experience it vividly. Mentioning the escape scene from the city center, Kim said that it was a highlight of the film. The reviewer felt that even in tense situations the humor was well placed. He pointed out that some conversations and actions of characters and of the Somali people seemed to contain intentional messages, but concluded the review with, "Nevertheless, Escape from Mogadishu offers intense cinematic pleasure enough to offset all of this."{{Cite news |url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/052/0001618479 |title=[Y리뷰] '모가디슈' 생존을 향한 피땀 눈물… 숨 막힐 듯 강렬한 영화적 체험 |trans-title=[Y Review] Blood sweat and tears for survival in 'Mogadishu'... Breathtakingly intense cinematic experience |author=Kim Seong-hyeon |work=YTN |publisher=Naver |date=July 24, 2021 |access-date=July 24, 2021 |language=ko |archive-date=October 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027181356/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/052/0001618479 |url-status=live }}

Kim Ji-won of Ten Asia opened the review writing, "Audio-visual pleasure and humanism that transcends ideology are properly harmonized. .... the action scenes contain the desperate psychology of the characters, bringing both entertainment and depth." She opined that the escape scene was highlight of the film, as the sequence conveyed the hopelessness of the characters, the horrors of war and the smell of sweat. She praised the performance of ensemble and wrote, ".... the supporting actors played their roles in their respective places, completing a lively story."

Concluding her review, Kim wrote, "Most of the Korean films, which are about inter-Korean conflicts, use a squeezing code of tears, but Escape from Mogadishu gives a neat impression with dramatic and simple expressions without being overly emotional."{{Cite news |url= https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/312/0000491240 |title= [TEN 리뷰] 김윤석X조인성 '모가디슈', 감정은 담백하게 액션은 스펙터클하게 |trans-title= [TEN Review] Kim Yun-seok X Jo In-seong 'Mogadishu', the emotion is plain, the action is spectacular |author= Kim Ji-won |work= Ten Asia |publisher= Naver |date= July 25, 2021 |access-date= July 25, 2021 |language= ko |archive-date= October 27, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211027181449/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/312/0000491240 |url-status= live }}

Cary Darling reviewing the film rated it 4 out of 5 stars and expressed the opinion that, "[..] an involving and suspenseful action-thriller that Ryoo Seung-wan handles with flair, capably staging big action scenes — like the final, nerve-rattling drive to potential salvation — while not neglecting the human stories at their heart."{{Cite news |url= https://preview.houstonchronicle.com/movies-tv/review-thrilling-escape-from-mogadishu-one-16356539 |title= Review: 'Escape from Mogadishu' one of the best action films of the summer |website= Houston Chronicle |author= Cary Darling |date= August 4, 2021 |access-date= August 8, 2021 |language= en |archive-date= October 27, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211027182044/https://preview.houstonchronicle.com/movies-tv/review-thrilling-escape-from-mogadishu-one-16356539 |url-status= live }}

Roger Moore reviewing the film rated it 3.5 out of 5 stars, and wrote that the sets of firefights were as good as Ridley Scott's Black Hawk Down, but the struggle to escape was more on a human level than a flamboyant one. He liked the climax scenes where convoy of cars were moving in a hail of Molotov cocktails and bullets, and concluded, "You want great action? Eschew the comic book movies and read a few subtitles. Escape from Mogadishu is in a league of its own this summer."{{Cite news |url= https://rogersmovienation.com/2021/08/01/movie-review-korean-diplomats-try-to-escape-from-mogadishu/ |title= Movie Review: Korean diplomats try to "Escape from Mogadishu" |website= Movie Nation |author= Roger Moore |date= August 1, 2021 |access-date= August 8, 2021 |language= en |archive-date= October 21, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211021072226/https://rogersmovienation.com/2021/08/01/movie-review-korean-diplomats-try-to-escape-from-mogadishu/ |url-status= live }}

Richard Kuipers of Variety praising the screenplay and direction by Ryoo Seung-wan said, "propulsive and intelligently written South Korean adventure thriller" has been 'energetically' directed. He also praised the performance of its ensemble cast. Kuipers appreciating the climax of chasing bashed-up cars on the streets of Mogadishu concluded, "Even though the outcome is never in doubt, the execution of this survival run is genuinely thrilling."{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/escape-from-mogadishu-review-1235035300/|title= 'Escape from Mogadishu' Review: North and South Korean Diplomats Join Forces in an Exciting Account of a Real-Life Somali Incident|first= Richard|last= Kuipers|website= Variety|date= August 5, 2021|access-date= August 8, 2021|archive-date= October 23, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211023034822/https://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/escape-from-mogadishu-review-1235035300/|url-status= live}}

Evan Dossey of Midwest Film Journal wrote that the characters of the film are aptly defined. He praised Ryoo Seung-wan's script and said, "[he] makes sure the conflicts are expressed through compelling, well-developed characters." Dossey concluded, "Escape from Mogadishu is a tense political thriller so don’t go in expecting an action film. [....] instead, prepare yourself for a well-written story of conflicting politics that asks where nationality must end for humanity to persevere."{{cite web |url= https://midwestfilmjournal.com/2021/08/09/escape-from-mogadishu/ |title= Escape from Mogadishu |first= Evan |last= Dossey |website= Midwest Film Journal |date= August 9, 2021 |access-date= August 10, 2021 |archive-date= October 27, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211027181054/https://midwestfilmjournal.com/2021/08/09/escape-from-mogadishu/ |url-status= live }}

Panos Kotzathanasis reviewing for HanCinema highlighted three elements of the direction of Ryoo Seung-wan in the film. In his opinion the first was characterization, which has helped the actors to give laudable performances. The second was the action for which Kotzathanasis praised the cinematography of Choi Young-hwan, terming it "exceptional", and the editing of Lee Gang-hui. And the third was narrative, having humor, "[..] which appears in the most unexpected moments in order to lighten the mood". Kotzathanasis ends the review with, "Escape from Mogadishu is a great action movie that also works very well on a contextual level, due to the plethora of sociopolitcal elements included."{{Cite web|url=https://www.hancinema.net/hancinema-s-film-review-escape-from-mogadishu-153180.html|title=[HanCinema's Film Review] "Escape from Mogadishu"|first=Panos|last=Kotzathanasis|date=July 31, 2021|access-date=August 13, 2021|website=HanCinema|archive-date=October 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005192153/https://www.hancinema.net/hancinema-s-film-review-escape-from-mogadishu-153180.html|url-status=live}}

Anna Smith for Deadline, wrote that Escape from Mogadishu is an engrossing film, which reminded her of Ben Affleck’s escape thriller Argo and 2005 French war film Joyeux Noël by Christian Carion. Smith liked the setting of scenes, characters and humor in the film and said, "Propelled by a naturally cinematic true story, the thriller blends action with humor and heart to crowd-pleasing effect."{{Cite web|url= https://deadline.com/2021/08/escape-from-mogadishu-film-review-international-critics-line-1234817833/|title= Int'l Critics Line: Anna Smith On Gripping Korean Thriller 'Escape From Mogadishu'|first= Anna|last= Smith|date= August 19, 2021|access-date= August 20, 2021|website= Deadline|archive-date= October 19, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211019041404/https://deadline.com/2021/08/escape-from-mogadishu-film-review-international-critics-line-1234817833/|url-status= live}}

Lee Jutton of Film Inquiry, calling the humor in the film "a huge asset", concluded the review as "With stellar performances from everyone involved, especially Kim and Heo as the rival ambassadors turned temporary allies, it’s easy to become wholly engaged by a blockbuster like Escape from Mogadishu."{{Cite web |url=https://www.filminquiry.com/2021-new-york-asian-ff-pt-1/ |title=New York Asian Film Festival 2021 Part One: ESCAPE FROM MOGADISHU, NINJA GIRL and BARBARIAN INVASION |first=Jutton |last=Lee |date=August 6, 2021 |access-date=August 27, 2021 |website=Film Inquiry |archive-date=October 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028171538/https://www.filminquiry.com/2021-new-york-asian-ff-pt-1/ |url-status=live }}

Carla Hay of Culture Mix, praised the performance of lead cast in the film writing, "All of the principal cast members give solid performances." She opined that the film had many heart throbbing, uncertain and unexpected situations taking film to climax. Carla concluded the review writing, "And it’s a memorable depiction of what people will or will not do to hold on to patriotic allegiances when there are life-or-death decisions to be made."{{Cite web|url= https://culturemixonline.com/review-escape-from-mogadishu-starring-kim-yoon-seok-zo-in-sung-and-huh-joon-ho/|title= Review: 'Escape From Mogadishu,' Starring Kim Yoon-Seok, Zo In-Sung and Huh Joon-Ho|first= Carla|last= Hay|date= August 27, 2021|access-date= August 29, 2021|website= Culture Mix|archive-date= October 24, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211024172852/https://culturemixonline.com/review-escape-from-mogadishu-starring-kim-yoon-seok-zo-in-sung-and-huh-joon-ho/|url-status= live}}

James Marsh reviewing for South China Morning Post rated the film with 3 out of 5 stars and said, "Ryoo, who specialises in testosterone-fuelled action cinema, makes good use of his dusty, arid locations to accentuate the characters' overwhelming sense of peril and vulnerability."{{Cite web|url= https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-movies/article/3148790/escape-mogadishu-movie-review-korean-diplomats-peril|title= Review - Escape from Mogadishu movie review: Korean diplomats in peril in Somalia-set action thriller by The Battleship Island director Ryoo Seung-wan|first= James|last= Marsh|date= September 15, 2021|access-date= September 15, 2021|website= South China Morning Post|archive-date= October 14, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211014192528/https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-movies/article/3148790/escape-mogadishu-movie-review-korean-diplomats-peril|url-status= live}}

Kang Shin-sung, whose novel was the basis for the film, said he was frustrated that the film "omitted how South Korea helped North Korea on humanitarian grounds".

• List of submissions to the 94th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film
• List of South Korean submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film
• Black Hawk Down (film)
• MALBATT: Misi Bakara

{{Reflist}}

• {{hancinema film|Escape_from_Mogadishu}}
• {{IMDb title|14810692}}
• {{kmdb film|23889}}

{{Ryoo Seung-wan}}

{{Baeksang Arts Award Best Film}}

{{Blue Dragon Film Award for Best Film}}

{{Blue Dragon Film Award Audience Choice}}

{{Buil Film Awards for Best Film}}

{{South Korean submissions for the Academy Award}}

Category:2020s Korean-language films

Category:Films postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Category:2021 films

Category:Lotte Entertainment films

Category:South Korean action drama films

Category:South Korean action thriller films

Category:Films about diplomats

Category:Films about North Korea–South Korea relations

Category:Films shot in Morocco

Category:Films set in Mogadishu

Category:Films set in Mombasa

Category:Films set in Somalia

Category:Films set in 1990

Category:Films set in 1991

Category:Somali Civil War films

Category:Films directed by Ryoo Seung-wan

Category:Action drama films based on actual events

Category:Action thriller films based on actual events

Category:IMAX films

Category:2021 action drama films

Category:South Korean films based on actual events

Category:4DX films

Category:Somalia–South Korea relations