TANGERINES
A powerful anti-war drama for discerning adults.
Should You Watch It?
TANGERINES is a strong, meaningful drama built around an unlikely household. Two wounded soldiers from opposing sides are forced to recover under the same roof, where Ivo insists they keep the peace. The setup is familiar, but the Georgian war gives it originality and weight.
The movie’s central message is clearly anti-war and pro-peace. It reflects biblical lessons about loving your neighbor and your enemies, while showing how hatred can be challenged through restraint, courage, and shared danger.
The cost is substantial violence. Battles, bloody wounds, dead soldiers, killings, and threats of murder make this unsuitable for children and young teens. Adults who can handle those scenes will find a thoughtful study of human behavior and a positive moral message. WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY is the practical answer.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESIvo and Margus, two Estonian friends, remain behind in war-torn Abkhazia to harvest a crop of tangerines before the fighting reaches their farmland. When a battle erupts outside Ivo’s home, they discover two wounded soldiers from opposing sides.
Ivo decides to care for both men, even though they are sworn enemies. He makes them promise not to harm each other while they recover. Their fragile peace is tested when a new threat endangers their lives and Ivo’s home.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is a highly effective film despite a familiar basic setup. The story’s confinement-of-enemies premise has been told many times, but the backdrop of the Georgian war gives it originality.
The film communicates its anti-war and pro-peace message through dialogue and through Ivo’s actions. It also provides an interesting study of human behavior as the two enemies are forced to tolerate their differences. The violence is a serious cost, but the movie’s moral purpose and strong dramatic premise make it worth seeing for discerning adults.
The Worldview
TANGERINES presents a light moral worldview centered on peace, neighbor-love, and the refusal to answer hatred with more hatred. Ivo becomes an arbiter between two enemy soldiers, requiring them to keep the peace and learn how to live together. The film is clearly anti-war and pro-peace, though Ivo never directly references the Bible.
The movie includes both Christian and Muslim religious elements. Nika is revealed as a Christian through the cross necklace he wears, and his conduct often reflects Christ-like restraint as he turns the other cheek in response to Ahmed’s threats and jeers. Ahmed practices Muslim prayers and expresses thanks to Allah. At the same time, Ahmed’s hatred of Georgians shows how ethnic hostility can deform a person’s moral vision.
The film’s central longing is for peace amid conflict. Its message aligns with Scripture’s call to reject hatred and love enemies: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Light moral worldview with farmer saving two enemy soldiers, instructing them to keep the peace and learn how to get along; one soldier is a Christian and wears a cross around his neck; one soldier hates people of a particular ethnic background and wants to kill them; a soldier practices Muslum prayers in the morning, soldier says "thanks to Allah"; two men own businesses and work in partnership with each other; total of 9 obscenities, one brief depiction from the back of a man peeing, slang word used for peeing; several scenes show dead soldiers' bodies with some graphic wounds and blood, a house is bombed and burns, soldier shoots another at close range and kills him, a recovering soldier tries to sneak into the room of a wounded soldier and kill him with a knife, dead soldiers shown lying in a grave, there is a gun bat-tle where several men are killed, an empty army truck is pushed over a cliff, a hot drink is thrown in a man's face; men lie to soldiers about who they are in order to save their lives, two soldiers hate each other and one constantly threatens to kill the other.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Ivo makes enemies share a home and keep the peace. What does loving an enemy look like when trust is still difficult?
Matthew 5:44 · Romans 12:18Ahmed’s hatred is aimed at an entire ethnic group. How does Scripture challenge the way we judge people by their identity?
Acts 17:26–27 · James 2:1–4Nika responds to threats with restraint. When is turning the other cheek courageous, and how can Christians pursue peace without ignoring danger?
Matthew 5:39 · Romans 12:18The film presents war as destructive rather than glorious. How should followers of Christ think about peace, conflict, and the value of human life?
Psalm 34:14 · Ephesians 2:14The Final Word
TANGERINES is a compelling, morally serious drama with a familiar setup, an original wartime backdrop, and a positive message about peace. Its violence and language make it unsuitable for children and young teens. For discerning adults, the answer is WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY.
