Forces spéciales, a French war film directed by Stéphane Rybojad, arrives on HBO Max on August 16, 2025. Starring Diane Kruger, Djimon Hounsou and Benoît Magimel, this military drama follows an elite unit on a rescue mission in Afghanistan. Shot in spectacular natural settings, the film blends action, emotion and dramatic tension.
The trailer announces a perilous mission in the mountains of Afghanistan, with chases, battles and solidarity.
Special Forces will be broadcast on HBO Max from August 16, 2025.
Synopsis: Afghanistan. Elsa Casanova, a leading reporter, is taken hostage by the Taliban. With her execution imminent, a Special Forces unit is sent in to free her. In a hostile yet magnificent landscape, a merciless pursuit begins between her former captors, who have no intention of letting their prey escape, and a group of soldiers who, at the risk of their own lives, have only one objective: to bring her back alive. Between this woman of character and these men of duty, forced to face the worst dangers together, emotional, violent and intimate bonds are forged...
Forces spéciales is inspired by the intervention missions carried out by armies in war zones. The film depicts a rescue operation carried out by an elite French unit, confronted by dangerous territory, determined enemies and extreme conditions. The story alternates between tense scenes of confrontation and moments of shared humanity between the soldiers and the journalist they are protecting.
Directed by Stéphane Rybojad, who also wrote the screenplay, the natural environment is given pride of place, filmed in an immersive manner. The film seeks to convey the reality of the terrain while delivering a dramatic and emotional narrative.
Diane Kruger plays Elsa Casanova, an intrepid journalist plunged against her will into a violent conflict. She stars alongside Djimon Hounsou and Benoît Magimel, two members of the unit responsible for her release. The cast also includes Denis Ménochet, Raphaël Personnaz and Mehdi Nebbou, playing soldiers with different backgrounds and reactions.
The relationships forged during the flight allow the film to explore the values of fraternity, sacrifice and courage, beyond the military action itself.
Special Forces is aimed at an adult audience with a taste for realistic war films and tales of military intervention. The film could appeal to viewers who enjoyed In Enemy Territory, Lone Survivor or 13 Hours. It blends dramatic tension, fast-paced action and more introspective moments, in a realistic, contemporary setting.
Fans of committed action films or human dramas set against a backdrop of international conflict will find this a spectacular, character-driven proposition.
Forces spéciales is a military action film directed by Stéphane Rybojad, starring Diane Kruger, Djimon Hounsou and Benoît Magimel. It follows a mission to rescue a journalist held hostage in Afghanistan, through hostile landscapes and constant confrontation with her captors. The film will be available on HBO Max from August 16, 2025.
What to watch on HBO Max in August 2025
Discover what HBO Max has in store for you in August 2025: all the new series and movies you won't want to miss this month. [Read more]
Don't know what to watch? To find your way around the endless catalogs of streaming platforms, rely on our guide! Netflix, Disney +, Prime Video, Paramount+, Apple TV+, Max... Here's a quick roundup of films and series to watch right now. [Read more]
Today's new streaming releases: movies and series added today to Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, HBO Max, Paramount+, and VOD. [Read more]
This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.
What to watch on HBO Max in August 2025
New movies and series to watch in November 2025 on streaming platforms
What to watch today on streaming? Today's new releases
