Djimon Hounsou and Halle Berry unite for new thriller Red Card: Details explored

Red Card, starring Halle Berry and Djimon Hounsou, is a hard-hitting new thriller that doesn’t shy away from real-world horrors. Directed by Crown Vic’s Joel Souza, the film is written by George Gallo, who worked on Bad Boys, and Nick Vallelonga, who worked on Green Book. It dives into the dark corners of international trafficking through the eyes of a father who’ll stop at nothing to save his son.

Red Card plunges viewers into the intense and emotionally charged world of Max Elmi, played by Djimon Hounsou. He’s a respected Kenyan wildlife ranger whose world shatters when his son, a teenage football prodigy, is kidnapped by a ruthless North African trafficking syndicate. Enter Halle Berry as Amanda Bruckner, an FBI supervisor known for her composure, hidden past, and direct approach.

Based on real events and backed by the Soloviev Foundation and the National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children, Red Card aims to make a powerful impact. Filming kicks off in late 2025, with one major co-lead still to be cast. But with Berry and Hounsou already on board, the film carries major star appeal. The original story comes from Ava Roosevelt, Robert Menzies, and Michael J. Hershman.

Souza, who’s directing the film, spoke about the script and told Deadline:

“Red Card is a fantastic script, from writers who have created film classics, and Djimon is an actor of uncommon power and depth. Together, we all look forward to telling a thrilling story we truly believe will grip audiences worldwide.”

More details on the stars of Red Card

"A Quiet Place: Day One" - New York Premiere - Source: Getty

For Djimon Hounsou, this role will have much significance, as he has been a strong advocate against modern-day slavery and trafficking. The actor has his own foundation that tackles and combats these issues, establishing his presence as a philanthropist on top of his acting career.

On screen, he’s gearing up for three bold genre entries. First up is the shark survival thriller Shiver, which is releasing on July 3, 2026, opposite Phoebe Dynevor and Whitney Peak. He’ll also appear in the gritty horror-thriller The Monster from Darren Lynn Bousman. Rounding out the trio is The Zealot, a tense thriller with Kodi Smit‑McPhee, filmed in Canada in late 2024.

Red Card adds to Halle Berry’s growing lineup of diverse and challenging projects. In 2024, she headlined Never Let Go, a chilling survival thriller where she plays a mother grappling with trauma while protecting her sons from a supernatural force. She also teamed up with Mark Wahlberg in Netflix’s The Union, showcasing her versatility in an action-packed romantic comedy. Up next, she’s starring in Crime 101 with Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo, landing in February 2026. Besides that, she served on the main jury at Cannes 2025, marking another important part of her career.