Few films in recent years have carried the weight, urgency and emotional power of Quo Vadis, Aida?, Jasmila Žbanić’s searing drama about the Srebrenica massacre. Hailed by critics as one of the most important war films of the decade, the movie continues to gather praise from audiences and reviewers alike, many calling it nothing short of a masterpiece.
Set in July 1995, the story follows Aida Selmanagić, a UN translator in the Bosnian town of Srebrenica, as Serb forces close in on what had been designated a UN “safe zone.” Played with extraordinary force by Jasna Đuričić, Aida finds herself caught between her official duties and her desperate attempts to save her husband and two sons.
As the UN’s inability to act becomes horrifyingly apparent, the film portrays not only the collapse of international protection but also the unbearable human cost of betrayal and inaction.
From its premiere, Quo Vadis, Aida? has received widespread admiration. On Rotten Tomatoes it holds a rare 100% “Tomatometer” score from critics, while on Metacritic it boasts a Metascore of 97 out of 100, indicating “universal acclaim.”
Critics emphasise the film’s remarkable ability to capture both the chaos of war and the silence of complicity, with Žbanić’s direction praised for being as restrained as it is devastating.
One critic wrote: “The horror experienced by Aida, and this entire town, is only emphasised in a devastating coda that demonstrates just how depraved these events were, and how profoundly the world failed them.”
Another said: “Žbanić, sheltered with a finely tuned aesthetic, offers a raw and deeply human vision at the horrors of the Bosnian war.”
Roger Ebert described the film as “a razor-sharp incrimination of failed foreign policies from around the world embedded in a deeply humanist and moving character study of the kind of person that these policies leave behind.”
Audience reviews echo the critical acclaim. On IMDb and other platforms, many users give it nine or ten stars, praising the emotional depth of the film and its importance.
One user review read: “Everyone should watch this!!!! A powerful, heartbreaking and devastating account of human injustice and global apath. Jasna Duricic leads from the front with an outstanding performance.”
The film’s impact has been recognised with a string of awards.
It was named Best Film at the 2021 European Film Awards, while Žbanić won Best Director and Đuričić was honoured as Best Actress.
Beyond the accolades, the film has sparked discussion about the responsibilities of international organisations, the failures of peacekeeping, and the importance of remembering a genocide that remains within living memory.
Not all viewers find Quo Vadis, Aida? easy to watch. Some note that its unflinching realism can be emotionally overwhelming, and others question the balance between historical documentation and dramatic licence.
But in the eyes of many, Quo Vadis, Aida? sets a new benchmark for war cinema in the 2020s.