Waking up in a strange place is disorienting—seconds to figure out where you are, how you got there, and whether you’re in danger. So when #1 wakes up on a packed bus in Senegal, no luggage, no memory, and a sign hanging around his neck, panic sets in fast.

A mysterious woman on the bus tells him: “Answer the phone. Put in the earpiece.” Confused and furious, he tears the sign from his chest. The second it hits the floor, the 10-hour bomb strapped to him arms itself. Game on boi!

Across town, Man #2 isn’t having a better day. He carjacks a bickering couple, forcing his hostage into the back seat. Sweat pours down his face as he unzips his jacket, revealing the bomb on his chest.

Record scratch: So, you may be wondering, how did we get here?

If Jean Luc Herbulot‘s award-winning Saloum (2021) was any indication of his ability to take the audience to it’s anxiety-ridden peak and create atmospheric chaos meshed with hardscramble intensity, then ZERO will thrill those who love action/thrillers and a bit of body horror.

The film plunges you into the tense, volatile undercurrent of escalating protests against Western influence in Senegal, where global political tensions loom like a storm threatening to rip the country apart. Herbulot doesn’t hold back, exposing the raw brutality and relentless pressure weighing on Senegalese citizens. Amid this unrest, the Americans find themselves trapped in an unforgiving, task-laden nightmare—pawns in a larger, dangerous game they barely understand.

Herbulot’s style is a clever mix of action, thriller, and horror, all while weaving in social and political commentary. His films tackle themes like colonialism and Western influence, but he keeps things pulsing along with fast-paced tension and high-stakes scenarios. He also has an eye for visually striking scenes, using bold cinematography to create a rich, atmospheric world that pulls you in.

Hus Miller, Cam McHarg, Roger Sallah and Gary Dourdan in ZERO, 2024

Man #1 and Man #2 in ZERO are layered and often morally gray, making you feel the weight of their struggles as they navigate personal and political conflicts as they encounter temporary taskmaster Onaye (Roger Sallah), tactical India (Moran Rosenblatt) and a wonderful appearance by an unnerving Gary Dourdan as Daniel. By blending local issues with global dynamics, Herbulot’s films manage to be both thrilling and thought-provoking, striking a balance between edge-of-your-seat action and meaningful storytelling.

ZERO shines a spotlight on Senegalese culture, turning the vibrant city of Dakar into more than just a backdrop—it becomes a character in its own right, adding depth and tension to the story. With producers Hus Miller (Man #1) and Gary Dourdan involved, the stakes are higher, and it shows in the way the film elevates the thriller genre.

After its premiere at BeyondFest on September 30th, the film is gearing up for screenings at the Sitges Film Festival, where it’s already generating buzz.

ABOUT ZERO
Written by: Jean Luc Herbulot, Hus Miller, Directed by Jean Luc Herbulot
Starring: Hus Miller, Cam McHarg, Gary Dourdan, Moran Rosenblatt, Annabelle Lengron, Jessical Lorraine, Roger Sallah
Produced by: Hus Miller, Steven Adams, Paméla Diop and Gary Dourdan
ZERO HAS IT’S WORLD PREMIERE AT BEYOND FEST ON SEPTEMBER 30TH!