Shake Hands with the Devil
Year: 2010
Runtime: 112 min
Language: English
Director: Roger Spottiswoode
In 1993, Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire is deployed to Rwanda with a peacekeeping mission, attempting to maintain a delicate peace. He quickly finds himself entangled in a complex web of international bureaucracy, facing severe limitations due to inadequate funding and conflicting priorities among numerous nations. As the threat of genocide grows, Dallaire is compelled to confront a harsh reality and must find a way to protect hundreds of thousands of innocent people, despite being hindered by political constraints and a lack of support from those in power.
Shake Hands with the Devil (2010) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview
Get a spoiler-free look at Shake Hands with the Devil (2010) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In the early 1990s, the world watches a fragile peace tremble on the brink of collapse in a small African nation. The United Nations dispatches a multinational force to keep the tenuous balance, but the mission is hamstrung by limited resources, distant decision‑makers, and a maze of diplomatic red tape. The landscape is a stark mix of rolling savannahs and bustling towns, where the everyday lives of ordinary people are shadowed by an undercurrent of dread that no commander can ignore.
Roméo Dallaire, a seasoned lieutenant‑general, arrives to lead the peacekeeping contingent. He carries the weight of his rank and the ghosts of previous conflicts, yet feels the sting of bureaucratic inertia that constrains his ability to act. The film paints him as a man of principle caught between the official mandates of a distant bureaucracy and the pressing humanitarian realities unfolding before his eyes. His internal struggle is echoed by the muted tones of the surrounding environment—muted colors, hushed conversations, and an ever‑present sense that time is slipping away.
The tone of the story is sober and contemplative, grounded in the stark realism of a mission that feels both vital and hopeless. As Dallaire navigates the complex web of international politics, the audience senses an oppressive atmosphere of uncertainty, punctuated by moments of quiet resolve. Relationships with fellow officers and local leaders hint at fragile alliances, while the looming specter of catastrophe hangs over every decision, forcing the commander to weigh duty against conscience.
Through careful, measured storytelling, the film immerses viewers in a world where moral clarity is as elusive as the promised peace. It invites reflection on the costs of inaction and the challenging reality of trying to protect countless lives when the very structures meant to empower are shackled by their own limitations.
Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 08:15
Explore Movie Threads
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Movies about wartime bureaucracy like Shake Hands with the Devil
Stories where political red tape and international indecision create moral catastrophes.If you appreciated the frustrating political constraints in Shake Hands with the Devil, this collection features other dramas where well-intentioned individuals are hindered by complex bureaucracy during times of crisis. These films capture the tension between ground-level realities and high-level political indecision, creating similar feelings of moral outrage and tragic inevitability.
Narrative Summary
The narrative follows protagonists who are part of a larger system—be it a peacekeeping mission, a government agency, or a military command—who recognize an impending disaster but find their hands tied by protocol, politics, or a lack of political will. The drama unfolds as they navigate this impossible situation, often leading to a tragic outcome that highlights the failings of the system itself.
Why These Movies?
These films are grouped together because they share a core conflict: the struggle of an individual against an indifferent or dysfunctional system during a humanitarian crisis. They evoke a specific kind of frustration and moral weight, focusing on the tragedy of preventable disasters exacerbated by political complexities.
Stories about crushed idealism like Shake Hands with the Devil
Character arcs where noble ideals are shattered by harsh, violent realities.For viewers moved by the journey of idealism succumbing to grim reality in Shake Hands with the Devil, this section gathers films with similar arcs of moral disillusionment. These movies follow characters who begin with strong principles but are fundamentally changed by experiencing violence, moral ambiguity, and the failure of just causes.
A Hidden Life
2019
Devils on the Doorstep
2002
War Machine
2017
Generation War
2014
A Private War
2018
Sand Castle
2017
Uprising
2001
Tristan and Isolde
2006
Death and Glory in Changde
2010
Warsaw 44
2014
Blood Oath
1990
Forest of the Hanged
1965
The Sand Pebbles
1966
The Promised Land
1975
Khartoum
1966
Narrative Summary
The narrative pattern centers on a protagonist's psychological and emotional descent. They start with a firm belief in a cause or a set of principles. As the story progresses, they witness betrayal, extreme violence, and the futility of their efforts, forcing a painful evolution. The arc is less about physical survival and more about the death of their former worldview, often ending in sadness or resignation.
Why These Movies?
These movies are united by a specific character arc: the destruction of idealism. They share a heavy emotional weight, a dark tone, and a focus on the internal collapse of a character's spirit rather than an external victory. The pacing is often steady, allowing the weight of each disillusioning event to build convincingly.
Unlock the Full Story of Shake Hands with the Devil
Don't stop at just watching — explore Shake Hands with the Devil in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Shake Hands with the Devil is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Shake Hands with the Devil Summary
Read a complete plot summary of Shake Hands with the Devil, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.
Shake Hands with the Devil Timeline
Track the full timeline of Shake Hands with the Devil with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
